Angelo De Augustine returns with Angel in Plainclothes, his fifth album and most inspired work yet-a deeply felt rendering of his multi-year journey of healing and renewal. The record showcases De Augustine's powerful melodies and poignant lyrics across tracks like the haunting elegy "Empty Shell," the hopeful "Spirit of the Unknown," and standout psychedelic country piece "Mirror Mirror." Themes explore life's fragility, second chances, and picking up the pieces after an undiagnosed illness forced him to re-learn basic abilities: "I'm trying to figure out who I am now," De Augustine says. "I feel like I may have been given a second chance at life, and I'd like to live it." Written, recorded, arranged, produced, and mixed by the artist at his recording studio A Secret Place in Southern California, the album marks his first time welcoming collaborators in years, including string arranger Oliver Hill (Kevin Morby, Helado Negro), harpist Leng Bian, background vocalist/percussionist Wendy Fraser, producer Thomas Bartlett (who produced De Augustine's Tomb, as well as St. Vincent, Bebel Gilberto), and co-producer Jonathan Wilson (Angel Olsen, Father John Misty) on "The Cure." The result is a powerful statement of hope: "One of the most helpful things that kept me going was the people in my life telling me that everything was ultimately going to be okay. I hope these songs end up having the same kind of effect on people out in the world, and help them know that miracles are possible." "Few artists can quiet a room quite like Angelo De Augustine." -Paste "De Augustine has a talent for cultivating calm." -Pitchfork "Angelo De Augustine turns heartbreak into beauty." -Atwood
