Jane Weaver
's
Fenella
project was introduced with an alternate soundtrack to the cult classic animation Feherlofia. The second
release,
The Metallic Index
, is arguably more cinematic sounding, even if it isn't linked to a particular film. Primarily instrumental, the album is heavy on cosmic synth pulsations and sweeping textures, with
Weaver
's wordless vocals fluttering throughout. After opening with a track meant to evoke a journey by train, the record moves from busy, bubbling arpeggios ("Instituts Metapsychique") to drifting, atmospheric guitars ("A Young Girl of Medium Height"). "Telekinetoscopes" breaks the mood up a bit, with sequences of fuzzy glitches flashing and resonating. "The Metallic Index" is a lighter interlude driven along by skipping beats, but "Lilacs Illuminate in Indigo" marks a dizzy descent into the shadows. "Stellar in Spectra" is an uneasy trip with rumbling drum machines and space-gazing synths, landing at a blearily ecstatic feeling. "Are They with You (The Final Chord)" is the only lyrical song on the album, and it's a stirring psych-folk gem, somewhat resembling an acoustic version of
Broadcast
. Even though
feels sparser and less developed than the first
release, which was longer and a bit more dynamic, it's still a captivating effort, and well worth exploring. ~ Paul Simpson