It is easy to perceive the criticisms that could be levelled at ‘New Radiations’. Undeniably, it is glacially one-paced while the absence of percussion makes it unlikely to inspire its listeners to dance or send them out into the world feeling euphoric. However, there is a more powerful flipside to that critique. The similarities between the eleven tracks on Marissa Nadler’s tenth album give them a unity and consistency of mood as it develops an all-enveloping gothic-folk sound. That cohesive feel makes the subtle changes all the more enjoyable as themes of flight, space, freedom, catharsis and metamorphism emerge. A highly personal piece, Nadler produces, writes and performs most of the music, assisted by arrangements from long-time collaborator Milky Burgess who adds flavourings of slide guitar and keyboards. Randall Dunn, who has worked with Earth and Sun O))), mixed the record which might give another indication of its stately pace and deep tones.
‘New Radiations’ starts with ‘It Hits Harder’. Beginning with an intro guitar picking pattern, the opening line, “I will fly around the world just to forget you” is delivered in such a gentle way that it is initially easy to overlook the impactful nature of that statement. Inspired by Nadler reading about Geraldine Monk, the first woman to fly solo around the world, the song’s narrator has a wanderlust. Stacked harmonies and the descending melodic pattern give a sense of falling. As with much of Nadler’s work, it has an unearthly feel that would have fitted neatly onto the ‘Twin Peaks’ soundtrack. A sister song that appears later on the album, ‘Weightless in Water’ is inspired by Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman is space, who completed 48 orbits of the earth in 1963, aboard Vostok 6. It imagines re-entry to the Star City, its gorgeous guitar-picking and keyboard arpeggios making for a particularly emotional tune. Robert Goddard, the father of modern rocketry inspires ‘To Be The Moon King’, visualising him tinkering in his backyard while the guitar playing recalls the midpoint music for Gideon Coe’s 6Music show, otherwise known as the theme tune for Jack Hargreaves’ old countryside life TV show, ‘Out of Town’.
However, ‘New Radiations’ is not purely a concept album and other themes emerge. ‘Bad Dreams Summertime’ sees her “awakened / a deafening crash / the ground was shaking / covered in ash”, a lyric at odds with the delicate melody and almost-whispered, sweet vocals, a voice drawing the listener in to hear her anxiety about crossing bridges. As a somewhat meta aside, the album sees her exploring musical bridges and alternate song structures, although its mix of seductive melodies with chilling moods slips down easily and never sounds overtly experimental. An old school country ballad, ‘You Called Her Camellia’ takes its inspiration from a viewing of the documentary ‘Motorcycle Mama’ but rather than identify with the freedom seeker, it considers the person left behind. Its combination of picking, slide guitar and country-flecked vocals has a deep sadness to it. The glacial ‘Smoke Screen Selene’ has two narrators, alongside a sinister and surreal air with muted orchestration and the warning “don’t let her destroy you like I did.”
The titular track has strummed guitar overlaid with sonic excavations. Again, the vocals are hushed as the narrator tells of how “new radiations have taken their toll of me.” While the song points to how cosmic darkness creeps into the soul, there is optimism in its suggestion that the cycle can be broken. Devoid of any vocal reverb but embellished with pedal steel, ‘It’s An Illusion’ is a quietly emotional take on losing and recovering identity within a relationship.
Lyrically, ‘Hatchet Man’ is the darkest song and a continuation of her engagement with the murder ballad form on previous albums, a tale of a man taking a woman home to murder her while wanting the narrator to watch. There is almost guilt in enjoying the song for its beguiling melody. The use of autoharp distinguishes ‘Light Years’ giving its tale of fading love an otherworldly quality. Aptly, ‘New Radiations’ concludes with ‘Sad Satellite’, a farewell song about lost connection using space and satellites as a metaphor for gathering distance. It conjures the dreamiest sadness.
As a complete entity, ‘New Radiations’ benefits from its consistency of sound. The record uses notions of space and the universe to convey emotional journeys and to explore the self. It is an album that rewards complete immersion in its troubled beauty.
Marissa Nadler: New Radiations – Out 15 August 2025 (Bella Union)
Nadler – New Radiations (Official Video)
I was editor of the long-running fanzine, Plane Truth, and have subsequently written for a number of publications. While the zine was known for championing the most angular independent sounds, performing in recent years with a community samba percussion band helped to broaden my tastes so that in 2021 I am far more likely to be celebrating an eclectic mix of sounds and enthusing about Made Kuti, Anthony Joseph, Little Simz and the Soul Jazz Cuban compilations as well as Pom Poko and Richard Dawson.
