The Breakdown
Hannah Cohen’s latest album, Earthstar Mountain, is a deeply personal and beautifully crafted collection of songs that feels both weightless and rooted, delicate yet assured. Inspired by her life in the Catskills and shaped by years of quiet reflection, the record captures the quiet beauty of change—both the kind that happens around us and the kind that happens within. Five years in the making, it’s an album steeped in memory, place, and an ever-present search for meaning, with Cohen’s cool, breezy vocals acting as a steady guide through its shifting emotional landscapes.
The album opens with “Dusty”, an effortlessly stylish introduction to Cohen’s sonic world. With fluttering flutes and a warm, enveloping arrangement, it sets the tone for an album that feels lush yet understated. “Dragging” follows with an earthier, 70s-tinged softness, its bouncy bassline and playful bongos giving it a light, almost nostalgic feel. Elsewhere, “Mountain” carries a Fleetwood Mac-like sweetness, its echoing guitars and warm synths wrapping around Cohen’s intimate vocals as she reflects on love and loss. The connection to her surroundings is ever-present, as if the mountains and forests she calls home are whispering through the arrangements, lending them their own quiet wisdom.
Musically, Earthstar Mountain blends the familiar with the unexpected, drawing from influences like Dusty Springfield, Minnie Riperton, and Neil Young, while incorporating shimmering synths, rich string arrangements, and a laid-back, almost psychedelic atmosphere. “Earthstar” is a perfect example of this balance, its bubbling synths and sweeping melodies giving it a dreamlike quality. Cohen’s voice remains the anchor—calm, cool, and expressive without ever feeling overwrought. “Rag” strips things back, its acoustic-led arrangement gradually unfolding with subtle layers of piano, trumpet, and gentle flashes of synth, showcasing Cohen’s ability to craft understated yet deeply affecting moments.
Lyrically, Cohen explores themes of love, loss, and the passage of time with a quiet curiosity. “Dog Years” ponders the uncertainty of building a life while acknowledging the inevitability of change, while “Baby, You’re Lying” strips everything back to piano and voice, letting the raw emotion of her words take center stage. Even in the more upbeat moments, such as the indie-funk-infused “Summer Sweat”, there’s an underlying depth—an understanding that joy and melancholy often exist side by side. “Shoe” slows things down, leaning into folk influences with rich harmonies and strings that bloom as the track unfolds.
In a landscape crowded with singer-songwriters vying for attention, Earthstar Mountain stands out for its effortless cool and quiet confidence. Cohen doesn’t push for emotional catharsis—instead, she lets the melodies and arrangements do the work, creating an album that feels immersive, soothing, and deeply lived-in. It’s a record that invites you to slow down, take a breath, and simply exist within its world—a world where beauty and sorrow intertwine, and the mountains are always watching.
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