Black Marble - Bigger Than Life LP (red vinyl)

On Bigger Than Life, Black Marble injects a bit of hope into the usual icy darkness. Recorded, produced, and performed entirely by Black Marble mastermind Chris Stewart, the album was created to bring some positivity out of turmoil, inspired by both the beauty and the devastation of life in the City of Angels. The blunt syncopation, distant vocals, and melancholy preoccupations of the band’s oeuvre are, of course, still present, but there’s a bit of light peeking through the shadows — and the songs here are all the stronger for it. Infused with loneliness and resilience, Black Marble reaches out through the isolation of modern existence to bring us a brilliant collection of songs that connects with the heart, as well as the ears.