Barchords

Released in 2012, Barchords is the sophomore effort from Afie Jurvanen, performing as Bahamas. Following his debut Pink Strat, this record solidified his reputation as a minimalist virtuoso, moving away from the more traditional folk tropes toward a unique blend of indie-soul and '70s soft rock. Recorded with a focus on live-to-tape feel, the album features a tight-knit group of collaborators, most notably the backing vocalists whose gospel-tinged harmonies provide the album's emotional core. The record was a critical success in Canada, earning a Juno Award nomination and significant international attention for the single 'Lost in the Light.' Critics often noted Jurvanen's ability to make a single electric guitar sound fuller than a whole band, praising the album's 'negative space' and dry, unadorned production. It remains a definitive document of the 2010s Canadian indie-folk movement.