I’ve both written and podcasted about meeting Hannah Pruzinski last year and gaining entree into an interconnected world that includes old favorites like Florist and Mutual Benefit along with their own band. Sister., Told Slant, the Gunkyard newsletter, and more. They also told me they were releasing solo work under the name H. Pruz and that a debut album was in the offing.
Well, No Glory is out now and - misdirection alert - it is glorious. A series organically crafted songs featuring delicately intertwining guitars, piano, vocals, clarinet, cello, the album also includes a wealth of unexpected details that seem to be direct transmissions from the instincts of the players. Special mention must be made of Felix Walworth’s contribution to the album. Also known for his work in Florist and as Told Slant, Walworth - who also co-produced No Glory and adds acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar, drums, percussion, piano, and synthesizer - is an authentically original drummer. He and Pruzinsky are life partners as well, which only makes the blend of their talents seem more seamless, most especially so when he’s lending a limber rhythm to a song in a way that seems to follow the contours of every melodic and emotional pathway.
Listen to Like Mist, the song that made my jaw drop in wonder this morning. Out of a spare but solid acoustic strum, a little universe assembles, with woody bass, a low clarinet, gently probing piano, sun-touched electric guitar, and H. Pruz’s expressive soprano, which traverses airy upper registers and lower, more conversational tones, with the ease of a jazz singer. Like Mist touches explicitly and with gorgeous naturalism on the almost holy vapor trail left behind by Nick Drake. It’s a rare song indeed that enters such realms - and the fact that H. Pruz does it throughout the album is astonishing
As this excerpt shows, the telegraphic lyrics of Like Mist acknowledge both modern free verse and the quotidian world of text messages:
Make it clear
That you’re honest
Say you don’t have to do
This if you don’t want to
All of the songs on No Glory are like postcards from a soul. Mail them to yourself by pressing play on this exquisite album.
From the archives:
Best of 2023: Rock, Folk, Etc.
Live Log 2023: Engaged And Rearranged