Great Aunt Ida

Toronto, ON has been good to Ida Nilsen. Or maybe time and experience have just worked their relentless magic. Whatever the case, Great Aunt Ida has grown in grace and confidence over the past five years. The former Vancouverite comes out of the shadows on her third release, bringing both a stronger melodic backbone and newly self-assured vocals. The album's textures are as warm and organic as Nilsen's work has ever been, but this time they lie over melodies that are more focused and accessible than the ones on 2006's gentle, meandering How They Fly. The songs are rich and instrumentally creative. Nilsen's piano shares time with guitars of all kinds ― electric, acoustic, pedal and lap steel ― and is beautifully supplemented by Ford Pier's horn arrangements and the occasional gorgeous Jesse Zubot string part. Nilsen's music has always been sweetly appealing and emotionally engaging, but this time, she sounds like she believes it herself.