Gayle Brogan, whom you may remember from her enchanting contributions to Meadowsilver, has returned to her equally stunning solo project, Pefkin.

Inspired by the astral-guided exploration methods of old, as well as tales of Victorian-era Arctic expeditions, Celestial Navigation is a dreamy, ethereal acid folk soundscape that completely envelops the listener into its icy world.

Songs like “Numenius Borealis” chill the listener with layers of droning synths, frigid, reverb-heavy violins and Brogan’s soft yet pure voice. Meanwhile, a strong hallucinogenic vibe keeps the entire record in a dreamlike netherworld. Take for instance, “I Am John Rae.” With its mesmerizingly-fried multi-track guitar loops (provided by fellow acid-folk legend, Alan Davidson of the Kitchen Cynics) and Brogan’s siren vocal harmonies, this song feels like a sonic equivalant to a hazy mirage forming just over the horizon of a vast and lonely sea.

Elsewhere on the record, shades of Linda Perhacs’ and Pantaleimon’s interstellar folk are conjured up alongside the minimalist neo-classical work of Gavin Bryars. Altogether, this is a frosty, comforting listen that would best be heard while walking through a forest during a gentle evening snow flurry. So be sure to preorder this album ahead of its February 25th release right here, and listen to it in such an environment before we reach the warmth of spring.

-KH

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