Swirl Flora Hibberd

Flora Hibberd’s debut album *Swirl* is a rich tapestry of sound and meaning, influenced by her background as a translator. The Paris-based British songwriter uses her experience to explore the nuances of language, decoding the slippages where English and French intertwine. These linguistic intersections become moments of strange poetry, revealing hidden threads of life and deepening our understanding. Hibberd’s songwriting process involves searching for jarring words and natural language breaks, mirroring the framework she uses as a translator to understand how symbols and meanings shift. *Swirl’s* 11 tracks are infused with secret codes, non-verbal signifiers, and intricate musical layers. Produced by Shane Leonard in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the album features contributions from a versatile group of musicians, including JT Bates, Ben Lester, Pat Keen, and JE Sunde. Leonard’s production subtly integrates morse-code-like synths and pedal steel riffs, enhancing the album’s thematic depth. Musically, *Swirl* is a blend of influences ranging from Jason Molina’s straightforward indie rock to Josephine Foster’s mystical folk and the surrealist lyrics of Bertrand Belin. The album’s first single, “Auto Icon,” echoes the art-rock stylings of Cate Le Bon, while “Code” marries lyrics inspired by textile artist Anni Albers with delicate guitar lines. “Baby” offers a Lou Reed moment, with Hibberd reflecting on vulnerability, while “Canopy” appeals to Big Thief fans with its country-tinged sound. The album closes with “Ticket,” a mesmerizing mix of fingerstyle guitars, galloping snares, and shimmering synths. Hibberd sees *Swirl* as a meditation on communication, particularly the transmission of songs as ephemeral, time-specific art. It’s an exploration of how music democratizes voices, capturing fleeting moments that might never occur again.