Carousel

Description

Carousel, the fifth album by Mark Scott under the name villagerrr, opens a dynamic chapter in his discography. This record oscillates between slowcore and shoegaze, between intimate folk and high-voltage rock, built for the long haul. The most audacious and subtle album to date from the Ohio-born singer-songwriter, Carousel explores with depth the difficulty of creating sincere art in a hyper-exposed and oppressive era. The powerful songs, rooted in the American Midwest and carried by the band's foundations, vibrate with a deep desire to find lasting meaning in a world saturated with consumer products. Composed over two years, this album allowed Scott to let the collaborative spirit of his previous opus, Tear Your Heart Out (2024), flourish. The latter led to tours with Real Estate, Greg Freeman and Momma, a contract with the Winspear label, and a recent deluxe reissue, attracting an ever-wider audience and new collaborators. Carousel brings together emerging folk and indie rock artists, Scott's peers, such as Boone Patrello of Teethe, h. pruz and Carolina Chauffe of Hemlock. The album was mixed by Scott himself after listening back to demos during long car rides or his runs. Thanks to his keen ear, capable of capturing both the finest details and vast soundscapes, listening to villagerrr feels like scanning the prairie grasses to discover the wildlife hidden within, then suddenly standing up to behold the splendor of an approaching storm. Carousel bears witness to a healthy skepticism toward the world today, but also proves that by letting one's guard down and reaching out to others, one can forge relationships of exceptional creative richness and lay the foundations for a deeply and authentically livable life.