Album: Divers

Album Overview
"Divers" is the 4th studio album by American musician Joanna Newsom, released on October 23, 2015, through Drag City. The album marked a departure from her previous work, with songs that are more accessible and musically diverse, while preserving her signature whimsical lyricism and detailed harp arrangements. The album was met with vital honor and is considered by lots of to be her most cohesive and rewarding work to date.

Background and Production
In the years leading up to the release of "Divers", Joanna Newsom's career and personal life underwent significant changes. She wed comedian and star Andy Samberg in 2013 and began to branch out into acting, appearing in the 2014 motion picture "Inherent Vice". During this duration, she hung around dealing with the songs that would eventually comprise "Divers". The album was produced by Newsom herself, in addition to long time collaborators Noah Georgeson and Steve Albini, along with composer and arranger David Longstreth of Dirty Projectors.

"Divers" was recorded at numerous studios throughout the United States, including at New York's iconic Electric Lady Studios and the California-based studio of Wilco's Glenn Kotche. The album boasts a rich, full noise, featuring a large range of instruments and textures that serve to bolster Newsom's detailed harp playing and distinctive, high-pitched singing delivery.

Themes and Lyrics
"Divers" is an album that checks out themes of love, time, and mortality. Newsom's lyrics are largely layered with metaphor and poetic images, drawing inspiration from a range of sources, including folklore, literature, and individual experience.

Among the most important themes on "Divers" is the passage of time. The album is bookended by 2 tracks, "Anecdotes" and "Time, as a Symptom", which deal explicitly with this concept. Many songs on the record likewise check out the tension in between the desire to live completely and authentically and the knowledge that time is fleeting.

Love and romantic relationships play a significant role in "Divers", as exemplified by tracks like "Sapokanikan", "The Things I Say", and the title track. Newsom's treatment of love is both deeply personal and generally relatable, utilizing her own experiences to illuminate wider realities about the nature of human connection.

Reception
Upon its release, "Divers" got widespread honor from music critics. Many praised the album for its compositional intricacy, rich production, and Newsom's continued growth as a songwriter. The record was a commercial success, debuting at number 30 on the Billboard 200 chart and making Newsom her highest-charting album to date.

"Divers" was likewise recognized on numerous year-end lists as one of the very best albums of 2015, including rankings from publications such as Pitchfork, The Guardian, and Rolling Stone. Additionally, the album got an election for the 2016 IMPALA Album of the Year Award, additional strengthening its effect on the music landscape.

Tradition
"Divers" has actually had an enduring effect on Joanna Newsom's career, as well as the wider indie and folk music scenes. The album strongly established her as one of the most distinctive and innovative voices of her generation, and its lush plans and intricate structures have actually continued to influence both fans and fellow artists.

Regardless of not launching a follow-up album considering that "Divers", Newsom's work remains prominent, and the album stands as a testimony to her singular creative vision. With its expedition of complicated styles and emotive storytelling, "Divers" is a record that will undoubtedly continue to captivate listeners for several years to come.