Thistled Spring

Released in 2010 on Kill Rock Stars, Thistled Spring represents the third full-length effort from Horse Feathers and a refinement of their signature chamber-folk sound. Led by singer-songwriter Justin Ringle, the album was recorded with a focus on capturing the organic, acoustic properties of the instruments, particularly the prominent cello and violin work that distinguishes the band from their more guitar-centric indie-folk peers. The record was met with critical praise for its 'hushed intensity' and its ability to maintain a consistent, immersive atmosphere across its ten tracks. While earlier works were perhaps more skeletal, this album introduces slightly more robust arrangements and a more confident use of rhythm, though it never loses the 'rain-soaked' aesthetic that defined the band's identity. It stands as a high-water mark for the Pacific Northwest folk scene of the late 2000s and early 2010s.