Jules Reidy : Ghost/Spirit
Samsara is a Buddhist term for the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Though this concept could be applied to reincarnation, it’s also a philosophy that can work itself into our everyday lives. Every morning, we have the means to reinvent ourselves—through new discoveries, introspection, and action, we can be born anew and inspire new direction in our journey. Although Jules Reidy may not be explicitly speaking to Samsara, this concept of rebirth lies at the heart of their latest album, Ghost/Spirit.
For Reidy, Ghost/Spirit represents an experience of profound change and discovery that involves heartbreak and their identity, respectively. Throughout their music, Reidy has continuously explored the mystical and how it relates to their life. Reidy says, “My personal experience with mysticism is intuitive, and expresses itself mostly through music. I understand and experience practice as being a struggle and expression of my relation to life’s display and as a tool for transcending it.”
The guitar is just a starting point for Reidy, who uses the instrument in tandem with electronic effects to create abstract tapestries of melodic and meditative quality. Reidy’s music is without any sense of aggression, and yet, there’s an intensity in the emotional presence of their work. “Every Day There’s a Sunset” opens with Reidy’s singing before the introduction of guitar strums; their voice is Auto-Tuned to create an angelic shine as the guitar tone rings and lightly drones, casting an enchanting, comforting vibe. Key tones and electronic buzzing flutter throughout the composition, the noise building on top of itself to create a grandiose sensation of sound.
Between more minimalist tracks and those featuring an abundance of instrumentation, Ghost/Spirit contains a robust spectrum of atmosphere. This variety is apparent in each song, the technicality of Reidy’s performances unraveling to reveal surreal combinations of sound. Though “To Breathe Lighting” involves a steady rhythm, layered on top are constant flutters of beats, distorted drones, and melodic strings that infuse that rhythm with added wonderment.
Alongside Reidy’s display of enchanting instrumentation are their equally heartfelt lyrics, which involve the musician exploring mysticism and their introspective discoveries. Over the melancholic strings and stirring beats of “Search Light,” Reidy sings, “search light in the dark / fixed gaze on its path / trick fate and light the way / back to you.” In comparison to the instrumentation’s moody air, Reidy’s lyrics provide a ray of hope, speaking to a feeling of being lost, only to find their footing and a light forward. Accompanying the radiant guitar tone and sporadic beats on “Every Day There’s a Sunrise,” Reidy’s words give the impression of a cosmic love that stretches from the Earth to the heavens. “all the world for you / all that can be loved / all that can be grown or / showered from above.”
Abundant with evocative performances, Jules Reidy’s Ghost/Spirit is a fascinating exploration of spirituality. Through their compelling arrangements and captivating blends of sound, Reidy has crafted an enriching experience of introspective depth and uplifting inspiration.
Label: Thrill Jockey
Year: 2025
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Jules Reidy – Ghost/Spirit
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