Los Angeles based, Virginia born singer-songwriter Kate Bollinger plants a strong footing in the indie folk-pop scene with her long-awaited debut full-length Songs From A Thousand Frames of Mind, via label Ghostly International. The 11-track project features Bollinger’s knack for embodied, whimsical songwriting, and is so clearly the result of years of musical growth and self-discovery. Brimming with lyricism that navigates the line between dreams and reality, leaning into loneliness, and both the burden and heaven of sustained yearning, Bollinger’s debut is an exciting and delightful treat.

The record opens with a fun indie rock tune; What’s This About (La, La, La), thematically seeming to poke fun at Bollinger’s own tendency to tune out reality, laid over a sneaky and care-free chord progression. The track has an ‘opening credits’ feel to it, setting the stage for the more personal and dimensional storytelling that’s to come from the 26 year old songwriter.

We see Bollinger’s softer side on a personal favourite of mine, To Your Own Devices, where she looks inward, and explores conquering the day to day in solitude; letting go of companionship. Bollinger has a way of delivery that is synchronously fragile and blunt. She is seemingly refusing to see the end of a relationship, and grasping at straws with wide-eyed optimism. Somewhere between a whisper and a soft croon she sings: “We’ll be just fine you and me, somewhere down the line, no misery.”

The theme of isolation and all of the complicated emotions that come with it continue to be observed throughout her record. On Lonely, Bolligner lets us in with an introspective piano ballad that questions who we become when we exit an all-encompassing period of loneliness. Her vocals are intimate, warm, and fuzzy; almost evocative of a painfully vulnerable voicemail. It feels as though Bollinger is talking to herself, singing: “Lonely what if it suits you, and it starts to look like you/Lonely when it starts to leave you, you might not know just what to do.”

Bollinger’s soft, intentional voice is best demonstrated on tracks like Running and Sweet Devil; at times reminiscent of mid-century jazz and swing vocalists. She circles back on what appears to be a central motif of the album; living in dreams, rather than facing love and life head on. On Postcard From A Cloud, she demonstrates her dimension by showcasing a texturally rich, glittery indie pop track. Bollinger closes out her album with All This Time; a whimsical and innocent ode to dreaming of someone, and yearning to share mundane moments of quiet simplicity with them.

‘Songs From A Thousand Frames of Mind’ is true to its title; light on its feet, but sprinkled with intimate moments and a spirited punch. Bollinger has a way of conveying her artistry beyond the audio; the album feels like it would fit visually into a warmly lit bedroom, packed with nostalgic memorabilia and pieces of childhood. With years of musical collaborations, EP releases, and touring under her belt, Bollinger’s debut quietly captivates. It weaves together heartfelt sentiments, striking imagery, and a beautifully nuanced voice, creating a rich tapestry of sound that invites listeners in.

Pre-order Songs From A Thousand Frames of Mind by Kate Bollinger HERE