In the cozy confines of several bedrooms throughout the UK, Jamie Moore — AKA Winnipeg, MN — was busy at work. Writing and recording a collection of songs that would later become Love in Life and Death; I have a feeling that Jamie knew he was creating an album where you would just have to stop what you were doing, sit down, make a cup of tea, and just; listen.
This weird, ambient folk selection takes a charmingly odd approach to an already complex practice; with Moore exploring different textures and tones through each and every song — with no two tracks cut from the same cloth. However, although each track is seemingly different at the first listen, I caught a hint of sadness, tinged with hope, to each and every note, and with Jamie citing influences from David Berman and My Bloody Valentine, to long train journeys and snowy benches; it’s no surprise that Love in Life and Death is so eerily poetic.
The album twists and turns too many times to count, and each song is so profoundly different to the next that I feel I wouldn't be letting you enjoy the full experience by going through the album, track-by-track. Instead, I have picked three or four of my favourites; to give you just a taster of what you’re getting from the strange, expressive mind of Winnipeg, MN.
I’m going to start from the end, and coincidentally my favourite track; The Last Thing We Did Here Together. Extremely and unapologetically raw; this song comes across more as a collection of memories, all blended into one, rather than just one specific moment. Pleasantly discordant, and hauntingly nostalgic; this tune brings the whole album to a close with a gentle flourish — each note washes over you in a mixture of feeling; with the song ending abruptly yet just at the right time.
One of the only songs in the album with a forgiving melody; Stars is placed quite aptly in the middle of the album, breaking it up quite nicely into two different sections. Moore’s melody choice — as in most of the songs in this collection — is rather casual; almost seeming as though each note that comes from his mouth is accidental and instinctive. Delicate vocal melodies intertwine with placid harmonies from guitar, completely unaccompanied by any kind of drum beat — making the entirety of the track harmless, and peaceful.
2:30 A.M Forever is possibly the strangest of the ten tracks. Moore somehow incorporates a vocal melody that is uncannily like something out of Sweeney Todd, with synth and guitar that reminds me of a guided meditation. The feeling you get from this tune is completely unexpected — it’s a combination that you expect to be jarring, but instead it’s almost comforting. A spoken word vibe comes across in this one with the melody complimenting the words beautifully; a song that is passionate without being forceful.
Haunting and joyously melancholy, Love in Life and Death to me expresses finding solitude in busyness; contentment in anguish; and the curiosity in nothingness. Winnipeg, MN is drawn to strangeness to say the least, but no matter how profound or bizarre this album may appear, I find the message and the intent to be quite clear. You just need to listen.