New Album from Mary Knoblock

Portland-based artist Mary Knoblock has earned a reputation as a groundbreaking figure at the intersection of experimental music and neo-classical composition. Known for her innovative blend of electronica, jazz and classical influences, she’s not only forged a truly unique sonic identity but has also become a powerful advocate for women in music. As the founder of Produced by a Girl, Mary has created a platform dedicated to amplifying female voices across the industry, from sync licensing to publishing, while her leadership of Produced by a Girl Records and Aurally Records speaks volumes about her mission to reshape the music landscape.

Mary’s own creative journey began in 2016 with the release of her debut album Elevate. Since then, she’s continued to develop her sound, delivering a flow of singles, EPs and record that reveal her experimental approach to composition. Each new release has expanded her musical universe, confirming her status as an artist able to conjure highly original and truly gripping musical experiences.

This year, Mary Knoblock returns with Spiritus, an album that feels like the culmination of her many artistic paths converging. Described as a sonic walk through the sacred spaces between memory, love, dreams and transcendence, Spiritus sees Knoblock blending ethereal neoclassical pieces with avant-garde electronic textures that invites listeners into a dreamlike world of storytelling and absorbing soundscapes. Built on cinematic piano motifs, electronic vibes, UK Garage influences and shoegaze dream pop layers, Spiritus offers a complex and beautifully crafted fabric of sound. Haunting vocal harmonies float through the record, adding a spectral quality that brings her emotional songwriting to life.

Opened by “Excuse Me While I Go Fall in Love,” the album starts with a stunning piece that serves as a prelude to her acclaimed album Halo. It’s a track that distils Mary’s ability to channel intense emotion into sweeping, cinematic compositions, setting the tone for the rest of Spiritus. “Hazy Days” follows with the soft rattle of drums and looped instrumental textures as Mary’s airy voice glides above to spin delicate melodic leads throughout.

“Physics and Portals to You” jumps straight into a pulsing groove of fuzzy bass lines, punchy drums and bright vocal lines which dance above to cast an enchanting and energising sound. Other highlights on the record include songs like the title-track “Spiritus” which brings an engrossing atmosphere of drifting synth tones and reverb-tinged vocals to create a transportive soundscape that wraps you up in Mary Knoblock’s consuming sound.

“Amnesiac” offers the perfect example of her knack for fusing orchestral elements with her experimental songwriting and immersive sound design talents. Intricate strings and hushed piano notes combine to form a misty backdrop for her graceful vocalisations to hover above, resulting in a smokey sound that gently floats through a dreamy scene.

Closing the album with “Healed,” Mary presents an uptempo synth-focused outing that threads pop-inflected melodic writing throughout a subtly grooving arrangement of driving beats and enveloping instrumentation. It’s an epic finale that sees Mary Knoblock showcase the wide appeal, yet still thoroughly avant-garde style of her musical output, concluding her superb new record in a memorable and satisfying way.

Listen to Spiritus below