In Real Life

In Real Life is the latest release from Berlin-based guitarist and composer Julia Reidy. Reidy has received acclaim for her solo performances on the 12-string acoustic guitar, blending microtonality, 'American primitive' stylings, and classic minimalism. Her recent releases have expanded her sonic palette, incorporating electronics, field recordings, and heavily auto-tuned vocals.

In Real Life takes Reidy's music one step further, presenting an epic LP-length suite that transitions from abstracted songs to lush electronics and explorations in contemporary musique concrète. The album begins with eerie electronics and creaking percussive sounds, before Reidy's auto-tuned voice emerges as the focal point. Surrounded by electric guitar explosions and synthesized arpeggios, her voice delivers a melancholic ode, reflecting on the instability of experience and the mutability of identity in a digital-saturated world.

The album explores the relationship between the physical and digital worlds, shifting between Reidy's intricate guitar-picking and various forms of synthesis. The dynamic imagery in Reidy's lyrics, such as cutting, shattering, and 'racing streams,' mirrors the structure of In Real Life, which moves continuously between distinct episodes.

From the song-based opening to sequences of frenetic guitar playing and delicate harmonics, the album flows seamlessly from one moment to the next. Interstitial moments between these episodes are emphasized, creating a unique listening experience that showcases Reidy's diverse musical talents.