“I was thinking about the concept of difficulty. Whether in life or in nature – of conflict, of being troubled. The idea of friction. Also in geology, an asperity is some part of a faultline that doesn’t move which can create an earthquake, which is an evocative concept.”

The release comes today. Julia Kent’s elegant new album Asperities is a tense, contemplative soundtrack for unsettled times. It has been been picking up excellent reviews:

“Darkly evocative”
4/5 Mojo

“The finesse and dexterity of these compositions makes Asperities her most complete record to date. Essential”
Drowned in Sound

“A masterclass in tonal diversity, expressionist narrative and finespun drama… Recommended without reservation, Asperities is an edifying and invigorating spectacle”
5/5 The Skinny

Asperities is available on CD, digital and limited edition vinyl LP + CD on Julia’s Bandcamp and the Leaf store. You can also find it in actual record shops and on your friendly neighbourhood music services. Vinyl production is delayed slightly, we’re expecting it in the next week.

While you’re here you should also check out the interview and session Julia did for WFMU and this feature on Bandcamp.

Julia is over in the UK for a couple of shows in London and Leeds, helping us to celebrate Leaf 20… because there is no such thing as too many birthday parties.

Fri 30 Oct 2015 with Stephen O’Malley, La Vecteur, Charleroi, BELGIUM
Sat 14 Nov 2015 Circuiterie, Rome, ITALY
Sun 15 Nov 2015 The Servant Jazz Quarters, London, UK
Mon 16 Nov 2015 Brudenell Social Club, Leeds, UK
Sat 12 Dec 2015 The Owl Music Parlor, New York City, USA

juliakent.com
theleaflabel.com/juliakent
@juliakent
facebook.com/juliakent.music