Gesserit - "I Roam The Purple Evenings Alone"
Gesserit, the project of Brooklyn multi-instrumentalist Elizabeth Wakefield, quietly shared their debut full-length, I Roam The Purple Evenings Alone, back on March 20th. It arrived just as the current global pandemic began to escalate, a wholly appropriate time, as the record is shrouded in darkness, isolation, and mystery, featuring songs that reckon with the concept of solitary self-reflection and singularly exploring the depth of self. It dissects those lessons learned when you have nowhere else to turn and instead must peer into your heart, mind, and soul in order to claw your way out.
In early 2019, we received a sneak-peek of what Wakefield had in store for the album through its lead single, “Silence.” With its reverb-soaked guitars and vocals, the spacey song sets an ominous atmosphere of turmoil and desolation that seeps through the rest of the record. As the album’s title suggests, sifting through the unknown within is an overarching theme, and it comes with both moments of confusion and clarity. The songs that surround “Silence” each add a piece to the puzzle. Starting with “Little Rock,” Wakefield’s voice powerfully barrels through a gloomy instrumental foundation before the ghostly sounding “Shadow,” a song that’s flooded with enveloping and shivery guitars and an inviting melody. Elsewhere, there’s a cyclone of shredding on “Wake Up” that’s countered by the more placid “Red Roots,” where Wakefield mystically expands on some self-taught lessons: “I found out how to pull myself out. Back over the mountain. I made a deal with a virgin.”
As the songs on I Roam The Purple Evenings Alone continue to unravel, the feelings associated with each one oscillate between grim and hopeful, as the dream-like, spirited highs of “Wake Up,” suddenly spiral downward on the moody sounding “Drive.” As one of the most direct tracks on the record, “Drive” painstakingly chronicles the gutting feelings of rejection and deceit. Sonically, Wakefield’s aching voice anchors the song until it explodes with a beautifully meandering and intricate guitar solo, which ultimately sets the table for another comedown; the album’s somber instrumental outro, “‘Member Me.”
There’s a lot to unpack on I Roam The Purple Evenings Alone. After several close listens, you’ll start to notice certain textures that add to the album’s dark and shadowy mood. Whether it’s the flush of horns that bounce around on “Drive” or the subtle train whistle on “Red Roots,” the attention to detail and emphasis on precise arrangements plays a key part in giving the album its distinct personality.
You can purchase I Roam The Purple Evenings Alone on Bandcamp. It’s also available on all streaming platforms.
Photo by Felipe Torres
