Album Review: Find Me In The Rabbit Hole

Neive Strang is quite a force to be reckoned with in the alternative and indie worlds. Granted her name may not be known to everyone, but her voice is one you don’t easily forget.

Coming from Dunedin, some might say it’s a double edged sword. Dunedin has been responsible for some of our finest alternative and indie artists and bands like The Verlaines and The Chills. So, can other artists and bands from there also hold their own?

The answer is yes. Of course they can.

Neive Strang certainly falls into that category, and for anyone that may have heard her name elsewhere outside of her solo work, you’d be correct that is she also now a permanent member of Dimmer.

Neive has worked really hard these last few years to make a name for herself, and with already two EP’s and a mini album to show for it, she has now made official her latest full length album, Find Me In The Rabbit Hole.

Eleven tracks that are rich in tone and heart with phenomenal production. It certainly is a very layered piece of art that reveals something different with each note.

Neive has a very distinct ethereal quality to the way she writes and her arrangement of what she creates. Like a lot of artists, there is no compromise of quality, and great care has been taken to ensure a beautiful and warming listening experience.

Take track, Find You In The Rabbit Hole. Barely a whisper at times, Neive has a unique way of holding your ears the way someone might hold you gaze. It’s quite haunting with its many layers but instead of predictability, it creates a soft and inviting atmosphere.

Gather Round takes on a similar quality in its unique way. Neive has a great range to her vocals that really gets your attention. It makes you feel safe like seeing old friends.

Equally, Space Invader takes it up a notch with a great acoustic arrangement, but it still captures the feeling of delicate freedom. While Neive is uniquely her own, I can’t help but note how this track could easily disguise itself on any Bowie record. Not in any copycat way, but in the brilliance of lyrical prowess. Definitely a stand out.

A beautiful and captivating album that really shows how talented Neive Strang is as a musician and songwriter.