Amateur by Molly Nilsson

The Feature Album this week is Amateur by Molly Nilsson.

Fully self-produced, recorded (and released), the fiercely independent Berlin-based  musician revolts against the sterility of precision with a brilliant twelfth studio record that celebrates comradeship, connection and glorious failures.

Rather than self-deprecation the title is a championing of imperfections, love and forcefully challenging the stereotypes of success.

On the liner notes, Nilsson explores the word Amateur itself, particularly it’s derivatives in latin such as “amator” – lover or admirer – and asks the question: “How did a word derived from love become a slur?” Much of the production on this record subtly reflects these theme. Tracks such as Die Cry Lie or Fatal Distraction feature thinly recorded drum machines whir away in patterns that at first could be mistaken for karaoke instrumentals are mashed and delayed at unusual intervals while effects are attenuated in unconventional ways. Barely perceptible guitar solos drift in and out at the fringes of hearing. The effect is of something soulful or psychedelic and profound being drawn out of a sound-set that should on paper be anything but that.

Nilsson is an artist that has long found ways to find ways to juxtapose grandeur with lo-fidelity, the vulnerable with commanding, and this might be her best yet.

Amateur is out now through Dark Skies Association on Vinyl, CD and digital.