Ruby Fray – “Barbara” (Stereogum Premiere)
![](https://static.stereogum.com/uploads/2014/07/Ruby-Fray-cover-art3-scaled-scaled-1000x999.jpg)
K Records/Dub Narcotic affiliate Emily Beanblossom has an awesome name, but Beanblossom performs self-described “witchy chamber folk” under the slightly-less-awesome-but-still-awesome name Ruby Fray. It’s probably because “Emily Beanblossom” is so impossibly twee, whereas Ruby Fray sounds darkly seductive — which is exactly how I’d describe Grackle, her extremely promising sophomore album coming this fall. Some might dismiss lead single “Barbara” as Ultraviolence-core, but there’s more to Beanblossom’s haunting rock balladry than mere Lana worship. The song captivates from its arresting first bass note onward, building high drama that casts a spell like Hope Sandoval at the witching hour or Nancy Sinatra noir. It’s exceptionally well-done, and there’s more where this came from. In the meantime, start with “Barbara” below.
Grackle is out 9/30 on K.