Sarah Neufeld – Hero Brother

Best known as violinist in Arcade Fire but having also supplied her talents to Bell Orchestre and The Luyas, Sarah Neufeld’s debut solo album is a natural fit for the Constellation Records roster (home of Godspeed et al). Across Hero Brother’s ten compositions – each consisting almost exclusively of layered violin playing – her often avant-garde instrumentals prove nuanced and haunting, triggering unexpectedly intense emotional responses from a minimalist setup.

From the light, airy ‘ooohs’ that settle across They Live On’s dusty pizzicato repetitions to the gentle piano trickles offsetting Forcelessness’s piercing, descending refrain, Neufeld appears to instinctively know when to introduce another texture and when to leave well alone and let her bowing have the spotlight. Whether quivering and echoing on opener Tower, screeching and wailing through Dirt, or frenziedly skipping through Sprinter Fire, Neufeld revels in her instrument’s versatility, ensuring Hero Brother an appeal beyond its ostensible niche. [Chris Buckle]