You know the feeling of being wrapped up in high thread count sheets, so high they’re silky, and a perfect furry blanket that isn’t a cheap synthetic but just the right mix of soft and plush? I suppose asking that is like asking if you know what it's like to swim in a pool in Laurel Canyon at golden hour, or drive with the windows down in the hills around Burbank at dusk. You’ve either been there, or you haven’t. On her debut album (sort of, more on that in a moment), Biita Houdei does an amazing job of capturing those feelings, the essence of them, musically.
Biita Houdei is not the name of the singer here, rather the name singer/songwriter Lisa Houdei has given her new experimental folk project — previously, she recorded as LéPonds. Much of this album was written in Topanga, California, with Haley Heynderickx co-producing and performing on tracks. There are so many elements from ‘60s folk production here that were popular among the Laurel Canyon set, like the way certain instruments are miked to highlight them over the rest of the track and Houdei’s close-to-the-mic singing, which makes everything feel personal and confessional. “Time to Go Home” offers up handclaps (enhanced with woodblocks) and harmonies that wouldn’t be out of place on a Carole King or Crosby, Stills, and Nash original.
