English folk artist VASHTI BUNYAN has released what she claims will be her final album, Heartleap, serving as a follow-up to 2005’s excellent Lookaftering. As with her past releases, Bunyan stays true to her faint, yet entrancing voice, one that first emerged over 49 years ago.
Bunyan released her debut album, Just Another Diamond Day, in 1970 only to get lost in the mix. Disappointed, she left the music industry for the next 30 years. It wasn’t until the album was rereleased on CD in 2000 that Bunyan began to catch the attention of the public. After a collaboration with Animal Collective and Devandra Banhart, Bunyan released 2005’s sophomore album, Lookaftering to rave reviews.
Now 69 years old, Bunyan has released Heartleap to serve as the closing piece in her whirlwind of a music career. It isn’t an everyday event where a 30 year old record resurfaces, only to serve as the inspiration for many of today’s folk artists (of all varieties). Bunyan’s story is one for the books, and her records are truly gems. While listening to Heartleap’s haunting melodies, one can’t help but imagine what other greats were lost in the music boom. Wherever they may be now, here’s to hoping that Bunyan’s story will lead to more wonderful discoveries in the future.