Artist White Hinterland

White Hinterland places singer-songwriter Casey Dienel not only under a mysterious name but also, increasingly, in a realm of busy arrangements removed from the simple pairings of voice and piano she started with. The 2010 album Kairoscaptures the vibe of an afternoon stroll through a cloud bank: Dienel's vocal melodies cut a straight, sweet path through hovering whisps of synths, looped vocal harmonies while percussion and guitar forge a dynamic of traces and vapor trails. The greater sonic scheme of Kairos doesn't aim to jar or shock, but manages to float around a basic pop frame without feeling weighed down by it. And, rather than simply bury her voice under pretty texture and reverb, Dienel sings up in active partnership with these pleasantly trippy accompaniments.

Updated 03/29/2010