Album Review: Sarah Neufeld, Richard Reed Parry, Rebecca Foon – First Sounds

An experimental flurry of emotion.

Sarah Neufeld, Richard Reed Parry, and Rebecca Foon recently released their first album together. Neufeld and Parry were previously bandmates in Arcade Fire, but their debut album with Foon is entirely different from their past work. With only nine songs, First Sounds is a complex, transcending tapestry separate from the rest of the music landscape.

According to a Paltrocast interview with the group, they initially met in Montreal, Quebec, while trying to find their footing as artists. They had some small projects here and there but eventually separated to pursue their own careers. After finding their own success, the trio reunited to create First Sounds. The album is a product of their own compositions and styles coming together to make something wholly original.

Because of its neoclassical genre, listeners are invited into an open world without lyrics. Neufeld plays the violin, Foon plays the cello, and Parry plays multiple instruments. Without anyone telling them how to feel, listeners can immerse themselves in the music, projecting whatever they feel onto it. First Sounds is a blank canvas of emotion. Though the album is classical, the songs are anything but stereotypically boring or pristine. The minimal production gives a raw feel, and the songs range from agonizingly slow to panic-inducingly fast. The different instrumental techniques create sounds rarely seen in modern-day music.

First Sounds opens with the track “Slow New Year.” The song starts quietly with only a cello and violin. The cello is fast and unrelenting, while the violin has long phrases, creating a conversation between the two instruments. The instrumental builds as the track goes on. Multiple instruments join the conversation, adding complexity. Eventually, the violin and cello switch places and then switch again. “Slow New Year” is a perfect opener as it sets the tone for the rest of the record.

While the opening track is slow and quiet, other tracks like “Circular” and “Dueling Flutters” are so fast and chaotic that they create a panicked listening experience. Neufeld’s expert violin playing is essential to this sound. Neufeld’s notes are quick and off-putting, placing listeners in a stressful, emotional state rather than a scenic one. The fast tracks are still enjoyable but call for a more focused listener. First Sounds is not an album to have on in the background; it demands your full attention.

At almost 11 minutes, the longest track is “Clouding Clouds.”  There is minimal production, and most of the instruments are featured independently. This choice highlights every individual note played, and they all come together to create a great track without fighting for attention. When they do layer, it feels special. This song takes you on a fantastical journey worth every minute.

First Sounds creates its musical world with sounds that evoke abstract imagery and tragic emotions. The album is reflective and imaginative. It is singular while still being relatable. First Sounds is a fitting title for the project, as no other artist but this trio could have created something close to it. Let’s hope they unite again to open new worlds for listeners to immerse themselves.