Bashed Out (LP)

This Is The Kit is the much-beloved musical project of Kate Stables, born in England and based in Paris. Bashed Out is her band's third album, the result of an extended period collaboration with the record's producer Aaron Dessner (Sharon Van Etten, Local Natives, The National). The album combines the talents of This Is The Kit's touring members (Rozi Plain, Jesse Vernon, Jamie Whitby-Coles), alongside a number of session players drawn from the Brooklyn music scene: Dessner, Thomas Bartlett (Doveman, The Gloaming), Matt Barrick (The Walkmen) and Ben Lanz (Beirut, The National) all made key instrumental contributions.

This music is honest, human and humane - a folky-lovely slow-rumble. It's rock but of the hangover-friendly, stoner variety; it's folk but at a groovy speed. As notable as the music, however, is front woman Kate Stables, whose voice hearkens back to the classic singersongwriter era - her distinctive, cutting vocals up front in the mix.