Upper Air

Released in 2009 as the follow-up to their breakthrough debut Hymns for a Dark Horse, Upper Air solidified Bowerbirds' position as leaders of the 'freak folk' movement's more grounded, rustic wing. Recorded after the band members moved into a self-built cabin in North Carolina, the album is a literal reflection of their environment. The production is dry and intimate, eschewing studio trickery for a sound that emphasizes the physical properties of the instruments. Critics noted the album's increased focus on rhythmic complexity and the seamless integration of Beth Tacular's accordion, which serves as the band's sonic signature. While many of their peers moved toward more expansive, orchestral sounds, Bowerbirds leaned into a more concentrated, skeletal aesthetic on this record, resulting in a work that feels both timeless and deeply rooted in its specific geography.