Collette, Ned - Mixed Light Collette, Ned

Mixed Light shines that bright light on a cultivated and multifaceted songwriting talent. Flowing freely between styles, genre-hopping and rollercoasting through moods. Sometimes delicate and dreamy then warm, dramatic and melancholy, tumbling into rhythmic, almost psychedelic, melodic pop, before diving into a whirlpool of his most raucous and raw offerings to date. Collette’s songwriting is compositional and often complex but never disordered. Bringing to bear the insight of a storied 20+ year career, encompassing experimental jazz, progressive folk, indie-pop and post-rock – all of which echo in the tracks on what is a truly accomplished, beautiful and intricate album.

The scenes in Mixed Light are illuminated by dazzling guest vocals and a cast of transcendent players. Leah Senior’s sure and beautiful voice is interwoven with Ned’s throughout the album, adding depth of character and gravity. At the centre of the record sits ‘In the Kitchen’, a brilliantly concise duet with Bonnie “Prince” Billy, whose instantly recognisable, visceral and unvarnished edge is a counterpoint to Ned’s darker tone.

Collette has built quite a clan around him over recent years, and a lot of regulars appear. The Necks’ Chris Abrahams joins for the third album in a row on piano alongside old Wirewalker bandmates Joe Talia and Ben Bourke, Steve Heather and Fredrik Kinbom from the Berlin Trio also appear in some of the album's most exploratory moments. Freely keening saxophone from Tim Pledger, Anthea Caddy on cello, Judith Hamann sings too, and flutes from Belinda Woods and Brazil’s Marina Cyrino combine classically with Collette’s now ubiquitous nylon string.

Mixed Light is an exquisite representation of Ned Collette’s prowess as singer-songwriter, featuring some of his most romantic and reflective writing. An exploratory work in which conversational outsider folk meets grinding motorik rock and large ensemble free jazz speaks to romantic pop.