Mirah has always managed to cram a lot of personality into her minimalist songs. On (a)spera, the Portland-based singer-songwriter reaches out a little bit, adding string sections (“Education”), Latin rhythms (“The Country of the Future”), and even a militaristic drumbeat and regal horns (“The Forest”). Despite her ever-expanding musical repertoire, though, the songs here don’t feel any bigger. Mirah tackles issues of all sizes in her sometimes impenetrable lyrics, but they always feel deeply personal, as though she’s singing about the world, but just for you. But she doesn’t completely abandon her stripped-down origins on (a)spera. “The River,” a slow-burning nearly eight minute rumination that proves Mirah to be an adept storyteller, would fit in well on any of her previous albums. She takes her time telling the story properly, but doesn’t waste a breath. (a)spera as an album is like Mirah’s entire discography — it can be intimidating to wade into at first, but the effort will be highly rewarding.
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