Shara Worden returns with another stunning album under the moniker My Brightest Diamond. This is my Hand comes packed with intense emotion and a breadth of musical techniques that give the album everything from funk and jazz touches to a chamber music feel while maintaining a rooted form that MBD fans will be familiar with.
Worden’s style is unmistakable. While it bears resemblance to genres like trip-hop and chamber pop the composition brings more to the table than any one genre tag can describe. Most of the songs have a foreboding tone but are still achingly beautiful. On the odd occasion a funky groove made by saxophone and bass jumps in then in the next moment a jazzy undertone arises and then onto the next surprise.
The lyrics are written with extraordinary richness and stunning imagery. “I could see the shadows while looking at the sun” and “these bouquets of white snow with perfume stars” are just a couple of examples of Warden’s songwriting.
The diversity found under the dark form the incredible stylistic elements and the rich lyricism is what makes My Brightest Diamond a real favourite and might make This is My Hand one of her best most solid albums yet.
