Siberia (Acoustic)

Siberia (Acoustic)

Just as her 2011 sophomore album, Siberia, highlighted a sophisticated side of electro-pop from Canadian singer/songwriter Valerie Poxleitner (a.k.a. Lights), her 2013 acoustic version of the critically acclaimed album reveals even more musical maturity. After opening with a lilting version of “Banner,” where her normally playful voice takes on a more wistful timbre over acoustic guitar and cello, she invites Owl City to join her on an intimate rendition of “Cactus in the Valley.” Alongside sublime piano notes, elongated cello drones, and Lights’ purring coos, Adam Young’s boyish tenor chimes in, turning the beautifully melancholy tune into an emotionally intense duet—especially when the two break into some gorgeous male/female vocal harmonies. The title track’s transformation into a piano ballad plays like a completely different song. She even matches the phrasing of the keyboard parts to her voice, creating a deeper-sounding rhythm with just two elements. Max Kerman of the band Arkells provides the second (and most complementary) guest vocal performance.

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