Alex Blue is a queer mother and Mestiza Jew raised in Colorado who initially vaulted to fame on YouTube. Her new album Kin is chockful of fabulous neo-folk songs, including “Never Been High” (a marvelous melody featuring a swelling organ).
The artist’s first stage name was “Alex G”, which explains the new surname that doesn’t conflict with Alex Giannascoli’s career. The new album is arguably the finest folk-flavored opus since the late David Crosby’s final collection For Free.
Other highlights from Kin include a melodic spin on Jewish liturgy entitled “Sh’ma (These Waters)” and “May It Change You”, a lovely song written for Blue’s son Auden that has a haunting, Katie Boeck-esque feel.
Make no mistake: Alex Blue would have been a star even in the Joni Mitchell/Jackson Browne era. I think Kin will wind up on a lot of “Best Of 2024” lists.
Listen to “Never Been High” below, and find Alex’s entire album Kin on your favorite streamer.
