Another low-key triumph,
Little Wings'
Magic Wand presents more of
Kyle Field's threadbare but still warm weave of folk, country, and indie music. Even before the indie-folk revival spearheaded by
Devendra Banhart,
Joanna Newsom, and
Vetiver,
Field's wide-eyed, thoughtful musings offered a sweeter, more light-hearted take on this kind of sound than the music of
Will Oldham,
Smog, and some of the other artists to which he is regularly compared. Indeed, the kind of gently observational songwriting that
Field specializes in seems to be localized to K's and States' Rights' Pacific Northwest stomping grounds, where friends and collaborators such as
the Microphones,
Dirty Projectors, and
Bobby Birdman also live and perform. Of these contemporaries,
Little Wings is one of the best at creating albums with a sense of ebb and flow; while
Field's palette of understated electric and acoustic guitars, echoing pianos, and minimal percussion hasn't changed much since
Discover Worlds of Wonder, his skill at applying it continues to become subtler and finer. And
Magic Wand is
Field's subtlest album yet, eschewing some of the poppier flourishes found on
Light Green Leaves for a quieter, but more cohesive sound. Tracks such as "Whale Mountain," "Hanta Yo Three," and "Random Lee" provide a mellow backdrop to gorgeous songs like "I Am With You," one of the best uses of
Field's choral harmonies on the album; "Sing Wide," which is one of
Magic Wand's most rock-sounding tracks, but still feels based in expansive folk despite its layered guitars and intermittent drums; and the hazy, slide guitar-driven title track. "Darkened Car" closes the album with a typically
Little Wings slice of wisdom: "In a darkened car, you're only who you say you are." It may not be quite as distinctive as
Light Green Leaves, but
Magic Wand's soft-focus glow makes it a fine addition to
Little Wings' body of work.