Dreams! The Dead! Ghost! Future, the latest album by Oakland Folk duo, The Singer and The Songwriter, is an evocative journey through time and emotion, filled with stories that resonate deeply with the human experience. This fifth studio release by Rachel Garcia and Thu Tran marks their third full-length album, offering listeners a collection of songs that are as much about personal reflection as they are about the collective challenges we face.

The album opens with the hauntingly titled interludes “Dreams!”, “The Dead!”, “Ghost!”, and “Future,” which serve as thematic chapters, guiding listeners through the emotional landscapes of the album. These instrumental pieces, each echoing the album’s title, create a unique listening encounter that mirrors the passage of time and seasons, preparing the listener for the stories embedded in the full tracks.

“Sound & Light,” the lead single, exemplifies the duo’s ability to transform personal grief into a universal narrative. Written as a poem by Rachel Garcia in 2016, it recounts the trauma of a significant loss from her youth. The lyrics, combined with Thu Tran’s intricate guitar work, bring a sense of timelessness to the song, echoing the repetitive rhythm of a train and symbolizing the inexorable passage of time. As the song became a staple in their live performances, it also became a catalyst for shared healing, with audiences connecting deeply with its themes of grief and loss.

“The Work,” the album’s second single, takes a more socio-political turn. Inspired by a Washington Post article on the struggles of aging workampers in America, the song reflects the hardships faced by those who cannot afford to retire. Thu Tran’s personal connection to this narrative, through his own father’s experiences as a Vietnamese immigrant, lends authenticity and urgency to the song’s message. The relentless rhythm and repetitive chorus echo the exhausting grind of capitalism, making it a modern-day labor anthem.

Perhaps the most poignant track on the album is “Over Easy,” a song steeped in ambiguous grief and the complexities of familial relationships. The lyrics sketches images of a strained yet deeply rooted bond between Rachel and her estranged father, using the simple act of making breakfast as a metaphor for their connection.

Lines like “I had a dream we both said we were sorry” and “Are you listening? Are you missing me?” reflect the longing for reconciliation and the lingering pain of unresolved emotions. The waltzing tempo and lyrical fragments, pieced together by Thu, give the song a dreamlike quality, as if the listener is sifting through memories themselves.

The single, “You Take Such Good Care of Me,” wraps the album on a tender note, celebrating the everyday acts of love that sustain long-term relationships. The spare arrangement highlights the duo’s signature sound—a delicate interplay between voice and guitar that feels both intimate and expansive.

Recorded over ten days at New Monkey Studio, the album benefits from the use of a vintage Trident Triad A-Range console, which imbues the tracks with a warm, analog richness. This, combined with the duo’s thoughtful songwriting and musical craftsmanship, makes Dreams! The Dead! Ghost! Future a deeply moving and sonically cohesive album. It’s an exemplification of the power of storytelling through music, and a reflection on the complexities of the human experience.

 

TRACK LISTING:

01 Dreams! 1:57

02 Drowsy Driver 3:25

03 The Work 4:29

04 The Dead! 1:12

05 Over Easy 4:07

06 Rest Stop Angels 3:52

07 Ghost! 1:29

08 Sound & Light 3:23

09 Flight Risk 4:18

10 Future 2:57

11 You Take Such Good Care Of Me 3:37

12 Virginia 6:32

Album Details

Artist: The Singer and The Songwriter

All songs written by Rachel Garcia (ASCAP) and Thu Tran (ASCAP)

Album Title: Dreams! The Dead! Ghost! Future

Producer: Nick Luca

Engineer: Greg Cortez

Mastering: JJ Golden

Lead and Background Vocals: Rachel Garcia

Guitar: Thu Tran

Additional Musicians: Andrew Maguire (Percussion), Nick Luca (Slide Guitar, Electric Guitar, Organ, Piano), Jenna Moynihan (Violin)

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