Album Review: Julianna Barwick - Healing Is A Miracle

Ninja Tune, synonymous for innovative Brit Hop, surprises with Julianna Barwick joining their roster for the release of her fourth solo album Healing Is A Miracle. Barwick throws no surprises on this album, but consolidates on her previous work as a sculptor of looped slivers of truly divine sound to craft quivering, dreamy ambiances that astonish with their transcendent beauty. With guest spots from Jónsi, Mary Lattimore and Nosaj Thing, the album inspires wonderment whilst tugging at the heartstrings with deep emotional undercurrents.

At the core of her sound, Barwick loops and reverbs her voice into a virtual choir that intones deep meditative vocal abstraction. Barwick tends towards the hymnal and it should come as no surprise that she learnt her craft singing in church choirs. It is without the accoutrements of religion that this album delivers a sound that invokes a deep sense of spirituality. Healing Is A Miracle creates a magical place for listeners and Barwick as our guardian angel delivers a soothing calm while washing away the bad news headlines and turmoil of our times.

As the subconscious drifts, much of this album feels like watching masses of flowers in every colour imaginable bloom in slow motion, revealing their soft glistening beauty. Barwick is a singular artist who has something very special to offer in the context of indie music.