Half Waif “Ceremonial”

24 Jun 2014 — Henry Schiller

“Ceremonial” is a brief (but stunning) showcase of Celtic melodies, delivered as mystic gospel by the significant singing voice of Nandi Rose Plunkett, who records music as Half Waif. The Brooklyn singer seems to hang her coat on some rung between the lulling grace of a new age artist like Enya and the jarring discomfitures of academic composition.

An ancient folk song from an era when aurochs charged through subway, “Ceremonial” is awash in a stunning blend of neolithic imagery and postmodern anguish. Plunkett’s lyrics track the small, almost ceremonial repetitions associated with the everyday failings of everyday relationships. “Ceremonia"l presents a longing for a mystic, sea-drenched cove in which one may finally rid oneself of such petty little cycles of failure.

Half Waif is currently working on her debut full-length album KOTEKAN with producer Devin Greenwood.