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**Big Thief - U.F.O.F.**
★★★★☆

In the sprawling landscape of contemporary indie folk, few albums have managed to capture the delicate balance between intimacy and expansiveness quite like Big Thief's third studio effort, "U.F.O.F." Released in May 2019, this collection stands as the Brooklyn quartet's most cohesive and emotionally resonant work to date, cementing their status as one of the most compelling acts in the modern folk revival.

The genesis of "U.F.O.F." traces back to a period of intense creativity for the band, particularly songwriter and vocalist Adrianne Lenker. Following the critical acclaim of their 2017 breakthrough "Capacity," Big Thief found themselves in the enviable position of having both momentum and artistic freedom. The album was recorded in rural Washington state with producer Andrew Sarlo, who had previously worked on "Capacity," creating an atmosphere that perfectly captured the band's evolving sound. The remote setting allowed the group to tap into something primal and otherworldly, which permeates every track on this 20-song journey.

Musically, "U.F.O.F." exists in that sweet spot where folk traditions meet contemporary indie sensibilities. Lenker's gossamer vocals float over intricate fingerpicked guitar patterns, while bassist Max Oleartchik, drummer James Krivchenia, and guitarist Buck Meek provide a foundation that's both sturdy and ethereal. The production maintains an organic warmth that makes listeners feel like they're sitting in the same room as the band, yet there's an expansive quality that suggests vast open spaces and starlit skies.

The album's standout tracks showcase the band's remarkable range within their established aesthetic. "Not" serves as a perfect opener, with Lenker's voice emerging from silence like dawn breaking over a quiet landscape. Her lyrics, cryptic yet emotionally direct, set the tone for an album that deals with themes of love, loss, and cosmic wonder. "Time Escaping" builds to one of the album's most cathartic moments, with the full band creating a wall of sound that feels both crushing and liberating. Meanwhile, "Cattails" demonstrates their ability to find profound beauty in the mundane, turning observations of nature into something transcendent.

Perhaps the album's greatest achievement is "Contact," a sprawling epic that serves as its emotional centerpiece. Over nearly six minutes, Lenker weaves together personal revelation and universal longing, while the band creates a sonic landscape that shifts from whisper-quiet to thunderously powerful. It's the kind of song that defines careers and creates lifelong fans.

The mysterious title track, with its alien imagery and hypnotic repetition, showcases Big Thief's willingness to push beyond traditional folk boundaries. There's something genuinely otherworldly about the way Lenker's vocals intertwine with the band's atmospheric instrumentation, creating music that feels both ancient and futuristic.

To understand "U.F.O.F." properly, it's essential to consider Big Thief's trajectory. The band emerged from the Brooklyn indie scene in the mid-2010s, with their 2016 debut "Masterpiece" establishing Lenker as a songwriter of rare sensitivity and skill. "Capacity" refined their approach, but it was "U.F.O.F." that truly captured lightning in a bottle. The album's success was followed just five months later by "Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You," proving their creative well ran remarkably deep.

What sets Big Thief apart from their contemporaries is their ability to make the personal feel universal without sacrificing specificity. Lenker's lyrics often read like fragments of overheard conversations or half-remembered dreams, yet they resonate with startling clarity. The band's musical interplay suggests years of intuitive collaboration, with each member contributing essential elements to a sound that's immediately recognizable yet constantly evolving.

"U.F.O.F." has aged remarkably well in the years since its release, influencing a new generation of indie folk artists while standing as a testament to the enduring power of honest songwriting and empathetic musicianship. In an era of algorithmic playlists and shortened attention spans, Big Thief created an album that rewards deep listening and repeated visits.

This is music for quiet moments and loud revelations, for solitary drives and intimate gatherings. "U.F.O.F." doesn't just showcase Big Thief at their creative peak—it captures a band fully