Julia Holter could be in line for a prize, yet she seems to have just missed one. To be precise, it isn’t entirely clear whether the moment of loss has already occurred. Her latest single, “My Lost One,” the newest preview from her upcoming album Materia, keeps the exact moment of disappearance purposely ambiguous. The track maintains a spare, dreamy feel for most of its duration, carried by Chris Speed’s fuzzy saxophone and Holter’s breathy, chant-like whispers. She has described the sound as “witchy,” a label that grows increasingly fitting as the piece moves toward a finale that remains both eerie and soothing.
“My Lost One” unfolds as a witchy folk tale drawn from children’s books, filled with eerie rhymes and playful syllables, while trees seem to push through living rooms and animals wear clothes. I picture wildlife creeping into my home, blending the outdoors with the indoors. I even imagine a squirrel cooking a meal on my stove. What exactly are we conjuring, and what do we truly long for?
Listen below.
Materia is out 8/21 on Domino. Pre-order it here.
