Parissa Zarifi’s new album is a beautifully tranquil experience, seamlessly blending elements of folk and alternative music with remarkable results.

Beginning with Free of You, you are immediately ushered into a world of beautiful strings and twinkling guitars. This single provides an early glimpse of the collaboration between Zarifi and guitarist Rob Harvey, who features on several tracks throughout the album.

His guitar work pairs perfectly with Zarifi’s beautiful songwriting, adding an extra layer to the strong folk vibes that the track exudes. At times, it even evokes the feel of Fleetwood Mac’s folkier moments, with the classic rock guitar complementing nicely with the folk aesthetic.

Kings & Queens is rich with violins, bringing an almost medieval feel to proceedings. I could easily imagine it playing during a banquet scene in Game of Thrones, with its lush string arrangements.

This helps to build the peaceful and chill atmosphere of the album, which is masterfully put together with thought given to both the track structure and sequencing. I particularly enjoyed the ethereal choir on this song, which added depth to the production, creating a full-bodied sound where all the elements interact harmoniously.

Find Yourself In The Dark has a similar feel with gorgeous songwriting, especially in the chorus, which felt almost Kate Bush-esque with its dramatic swells of violins and timeless quality.

The next track, Slow, is blessed with beautiful twinkling guitars and harps, which allow you to sink into the song with their serene nature. The beautiful string section solo was also a gorgeous touch, enhancing further the stylish nature of the song.

The ethereal backdrop continues on To Be Free, where Zarifi’s stunning performance truly shines, particularly in the chorus, where her voice rises above the delicate string arrangements.

The performances across the album are strong, whether it be Harvey’s excellent guitar playing or the amazing vocal and string performances. Each contribute significantly to the album’s atmospheric mood.

The reverb-laden guitar passages in Written In The Sand contribute something slightly different to the rest of the album, without disrupting the overall style and production. Meanwhile, the classic songwriting of Don’t Look Back helps create a defiant mood, mirrored by the lyrics’ focus on moving forward as a form of healing.

Entwined In The Heat stands out with its beautifully layered guitar passages across a solid acoustic base. When the violins enter and the track intensifies, it reaches new heights with some spectacular performances.

The Stars Align yet again shows the really strong songwriting which Zarifi brings to this LP with an absolutely amazing chorus. The album concludes perfectly with Sing For My Soul, a track that encapsulates what makes this album so special, featuring beautiful string sections and impressive guiar work.

Overall, if you love your alternative folk then this is a must listen however I would also recommended it to anyone who wants to switch off and get lost in a really great album with a fantastic mood.