Dutch singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Mariecke Borger takes prompts from Joni Mitchell and James Taylor to fashion ten personal and wonderfully intimate songs for her long-awaited third album, Unravel.

PERSONAL, CONFESSIONAL, INTIMATE

Raised in the idyllic environs of Ermelo in the Gelderland province of the Netherlands, Mariecke Borger is a lady of singular talent.  She’s from a musical family and her skills on piano and guitar are self-taught.  As a songwriter, Mariecke draws her inspiration from the likes of Joni Mitchell and James Taylor. Those influences are clearly detectable in her songs.

Unravel is Mariecke’s third album in a recording career that began back in 2013, with her home-recorded debut, Through My Eyes.  Her signature sound spans the intersection of alternative folk and Americana. And she specializes in personal, confessional songs of deep intimacy.  It’s a style that, perhaps, finds its culmination on Unravel, a finely-produced collection of beautiful songs, immaculately performed.

CLOSE YOUR EYES, SWAY ALONG

The agenda for Unravel is set right from the first soft strums of banjo that introduce opening track, The Shore.  A wise selection of instrumentation is a feature that pervades the entire album and the match of the banjo to Mariecke’s gentle vocal is immediately striking.  The song has a nice, easy-going country feel. The subtle sweeps of fiddle and dashes of exquisite slide guitar enhance the sound.

The intimate, gentle, mood continues for the album’s title track.  The instrumentation is richer, with resonant bass and light percussion sitting alongside chimes of electric guitar. And they form the perfect frame around Mariecke’s vulnerable-sounding, dreamlike vocals.  And the dreams and the intimacy are carried onward for the delightful Flowerbeds.  There’s a nice, spacious, sound to the guitar, the drums are gently brushed and, it seems, that Mariecke is looking the listener squarely in the eye as she sings: “You were the only one on my mind…”

A pleasant, shuffling rhythm provides the drive for On the Move.  It’s another song with a country flavour; a flavour that’s highlighted by more of that wonderful slide guitar.  Listeners are well-advised to close their eyes and sway along to a marvelous blend of guitar, banjo and Mariecke’s reassuring voice.

IMMACULATE PRODUCTION, WELL-CHOSEN INSTRRUMENTATION

The Joni Mitchell influence is particularly evident in Mariecke’s delivery of At Last.  There’s a note of sincerity in her voice when she sings: “Oh – it has never left my mind.” The accompaniment – pedal steel, piano and a firm drumbeat – has a feel of sophistication about it.  And the backing is, once more, perfectly selected for the poppy, upbeat Heartbeat.  Mariecke sounds bright and confident, whilst guitars ring out.

The accompaniment is pared back to acoustic guitar and plucked banjo for I Don’t Mind. In addition, Mariecke dials back her vocals to their softest setting.  At least, I thought it was her softest setting, but that was before I listened to the tender Far Away, another of the album’s genuine highlights.  The subtle, measured accompaniment allows Mariecke all the space she needs to deliver her softly-sung message. The effect is so thoroughly soothing.  And, even when the electric guitar breaks out into a solo, it does so with exemplary constraint.

Every feature of this excellent album is coalesces for closing track, Where to Go.  It’s another song with a clear Joni influence and it’s another fine example of the controlled intimacy that characterizes Unravel.  Once again, the production is immaculate, with every well-chosen instrument adding full value to complement Mariecke’s voice to perfection.

Unravel is a wonderful, warm album – an enticing soundtrack to the winter days and nights that lie ahead.

Listen to Heartbeat – a track from the album – below:

Mariecke Borger: Website

At The Barrier: Facebook / X / Instagram