Album Review: Andrea von Kampen – “That Spell” – Extraordinary folk songwriting

Andrea von Kampen is a site favorite, so folks who are familiar with our site will know the name well. If you’ve recently discovered von Kampen’s writing, do settle in for a gorgeous adventure. The style is beautifully satisfying, lyrically rich, with a lead vocal that is unparalleled in folk music currently. That Spell is yet another work of outstanding artistry from one of the best folk artists writing currently.

After the short intro track, von Kampen presents “Take back thy gift,” a sweetly thoughtful piece about being restored to reality. The imagery feels like a mythological adventure. The “oohs” definitely reminded me of the Sirens of mythology, calling the adventurers off of their set course. There’s an atmospheric energy to the track that sets it apart from many of AVK’s other work.

The following track “That Spell” has an acoustic energy to it that feels a little more easy going than other tracks on the album. The whimsical vibe of the track echoes some classic folk stylings. If you’ve ever been “lost inside that spell” with another person, the song has some relatable lyrics. The lyrical theme definitely has a tongue in cheek mockery of *some people* who have it made. As someone who often writes with a very down to earth style about common people, this one has a fun alternative energy to it. Also, the trumpet is a nice touch.

“Celilo” is much standard fare from AVK. The expressive acoustic guitar provides a gorgeous base to the beautiful lead vocal over the top. The combination, along with the thoughtful lyrics, make for a truly remarkable piece of songwriting. If you’re a fan of Joni Mitchell and similar classic folk songstresses, AVK is definitely for you. This track is a bright example of that point. The piano adds depth to the track that makes it go from good to great. The hat tip to Woody Guthrie’s iconic songwriting is well placed on this track.

“The Wait” feels like a gospel song. The combination of the piano, the organ, and the lyrical theme definitely lend themselves to classic gospel music. There’s not a lot to be said about the song itself other than it’s worth listening to on repeat for a bit. The entire mood of the track is joyful and celebratory.

Both “Water Flowing Downward” and “Carolina” are the kinds of songs that show off von Kampen’s ability to connect classic folk stylings to contemporary production. “Water Flowing Downward” in particular reminds me of Sarah Jarosz and the classic-meets-modern energy. The poetic energy of “Carolina” is exquisite. The reference to James Taylor shows that von Kampen has an appreciation for the classics in the genre. The folk pop flavor works well in both the guitar and the vocal style.

The penultimate track “Wedding Song” is a piece of music that could definitely find its way on a lot of real life wedding playlists. It tells the story of a wedding day, of course. It’s an inherently romantic composition with the guitar and expressive lyrical work. Harkening to the “oohs” of “Take back thy gift,” the song presents a sense of allure and actually falling in love with someone. It’s a charming, sweet, and incredibly emotional piece of music. The awareness of joy and sorrow is captivating. In a world with so much shallow music, it’s nice to know someone is cultivating such a rich and poetic sound.

The last song “Magdalene” is perhaps the best track on an absolutely stunning album. It evokes comparison with classics like Joni Mitchell again. The phrasing on the track is the exact element that makes von Kampen such a remarkable star in the folk scene currently. The lyrics make reference to “my Magdalene” and history, so listeners can take that in a number of directions. The allusions to biblical and classical history are present with a captivating lyrical style. It’s worth spending some time contemplating while enjoying the beautiful musicianship.

This is a remarkable album and will most certainly be an album of the year candidate for me. I heard many of these tracks on Andrea von Kampen’s YouTube channel, but it was great to hear the studio versions as well. The fact that the songs hold up so well in solo acoustic performance as well as full studio mix shows how good they are as songs and how versatile von Kampen is as a performer. I would definitely recommend this album to fans of Joni Mitchell and similar classic folk songwriters. That said, more contemporary artists like The Other Favorites and The Milk Carton Kids also come to mind as comparable artists for folk music with satisfying melodic and harmonic richness coupled with cerebral and poetic lyricism. Andrea von Kampen is a gem; let’s share her music widely.