Megan Biscieglia, a.k.a. Bad Braids, is a welcomed transplant from Brooklyn to Philadelphia. With a bewitching LP, Arrow And Orb, already under her belt, Biscieglia crafts a series of intimately dark folk gems transporting the listener into an alternative reality with its follow-up, Supreme Parallel, released via Austin-based indie label Haute Magie.
The record opens with “Ode To Fig” – a simple, repetitive guitar riff lays down the groundwork for the composition as a bow languidly pulls back and forth across a cello and Megan Biscieglia’s voice draws back the veil and steps into the forefront. As her vocals intensify, the subtle instrumental touches such as the singing bowl and toy piano add an eerie calm that resonates throughout Supreme Parallel. In the album’s second cut, “Through the Door” begins with an elegant spiraling acoustic guitar run building a sense of anticipatory drama “Don’t stay still my greedy heart says crawl into the shadows…” The reflective lyrics accompanied by strings create a bone-chilling coldness with a hint of hope that is rather breathtaking. “Clover (for Sarah)” maintains a similar feel; however, what starts off as cavernous sounds (due in large part to Paul Christian’s use of organ) changes shape as its pace gradually increases and the combination of percussion and steady strings brings a sense of downhill rolling momentum that is purposely put to rest by Biscieglia’s solemnly smooth vocals.
Supreme Parallel paints an enchanting, deep-freeze inspiring landscape. At first, it’s like looking through a cabin window and simply noticing the piles of snow that cover your surroundings. But once your vision refocuses, all the subtle natural beauty emerges. In a similar manner, this album grows as the placement of instrumentation whether it’s the lap harp, theremin, etc. that provides a depth to the sonic canvas. What at first could seem like an isolated exercise in introspection takes on a rather peculiar pleasantry. The ringing theremin in the closing “Soldier (I See Parallel Rays)” is an ideal example of accentuating texture as layered harmonic vocals provide warmth that the theremin cuts through. Supreme Parallels hovers over a threshold exposing the beauty that reemerges from the darkness, if you only take the time to open your eyes. – Michael Colavita