claire rousay (CA) + Pauline Hogstrand

claire rousay (CA) + support RIYL: Death Cab For Cutie, Kara-Lis Coverdale, Beach House, Broadcast, Julia Holter, Perila, ambient, field recordings, queerness, Shelter Press, Thrill Jockey, Félicia Atkinson, Laila Sakini claire rousay is an artist known for pushing the boundaries of experimental and ambient music. She integrates found sounds, drones, and field recordings to highlight life’s mundane beauty, crafting detailed and emotionally resonant pieces. Her album “Sentiment” explores themes of loneliness, nostalgia, sentimentality, guilt, and sex with intimate musical gestures and vulnerability. Created in various private spaces, the album radiates the solitude in which it was made.

“Sentiment” features rousay’s vocals and guitar, blending diaristic lyrics with mechanical vocal effects to express a longing for connection and a sense of separation. Her nuanced guitar work and slow tempos convey resignation and draw on her diverse musical background, from math-rock and emo bands to evangelical worship groups.

rousay’s transition from percussionist to solo artist is evident in “Sentiment,” which combines her past experiences with a focus on clear communication through pop music. The album captures moments from her life, balancing poetic influences with a documentarian approach. The confessional nature of sampled conversations adds intimacy and specificity, while her embrace of pop forms, minimalistic arrangements, and innovative sound choices conjures deep emotions. “Sentiment” is melancholic, sensual, and profoundly personal.