Labelled as a “a trailblazer and an innovator”, for more than thirty years Mary Timony has journeyed through the world of independent music. Most recently as vocalist and guitarist of acclaimed garage-pop power trio Ex Hex, Timony has now just released her fifth solo album, her first in fifteen years.
“Untame The Tiger” is, however, an album steeped in tragedy and struggle for the cult songwriter. Written at a time when not only was Timony dealing with the end of a long-term relationship but it came at a time when the singer was also dealing with the pain of losing both of her parents. Unsurprisingly then, both of these hugely life-changing inspire the lyrics on this record, the process of creating she describes as “my anchor in a time when I was losing so much around me.”
With tragedy and heartache woven into her lyrics, the acoustic-based sound of her music is at times sombre and tinged with sadness. A blend of garage, acoustic and folk, songs like “No Thirds” and “Summer” are uncluttered and free of frills. Each song is her way of taking control of her life and, whether it’s dealing with loneliness or losing everything, Timony used ‘Untame The Tiger’ as a guide to get her through her struggles. That being said there are moments of humour peeking out through the sadness, such “The Guest” where the songwriter addresses loneliness directly through the song.
The album seems Timony team up with Dave Mattacks, drummer of legendary British folk-rock band Fairport Convention and considering the influence the work of the folk legends have had on the songwriter’s career, it almost feels like a match made in heaven.
The end result is an album which may come from a place of tragedy and is one Timony has used as a means of hope but, if you’re in a similar place to the indie favourite, the hopeful, sincere, heartfelt tones of ‘Untame The Tiger’ will give you plenty of hope.
To pick up your copy of ‘Untame The Tiger’, head over to Mary’s Bandcamp page here.
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