ALBUM OF THE DAY

Swimming Bell, “Somnia”

By Jennifer Kelly

· May 21, 2025

Katie Schottland’s Swimming Bell beautifully merges the warm, inviting essence of Laurel Canyon songwriting with the gentle sophistication of countrypolitan sounds. In her latest album, Somnia, particularly in the opening track, “Found It at the Bottom of the Ocean,” the delicate dance of drum machine rhythms unfolds alongside tender, bedroom pop melodies, creating a serene space for Schottland’s voice to shine.

Beginning her journey in New York City, Schottland cultivated her unique sound during the early, introspective days of the pandemic. Those solitary moments shaped a musical landscape influenced by classic pop and Americana, echoing a sense of personal reflection. While her early tunes were delightful, they existed mainly in a private world of creativity, untouched by the vibrance of live performances or communal experiences.

Now that the world has opened its arms once again, Somnia signals a gentle emergence from this cocoon. Collaborating with the talented alt-rock producer Rob Schnapf, known for his work with artists like Beck and Elliott Smith, Schottland is stepping into a new sonic space. The album’s opening tracks, especially “Meet My Shadow,” shift focus from previous twangy guitars to a clear, uplifting line of melody enriched with bright electric keyboard tones. Even the lap steel, played by the gifted Oli Deakin of Lowpines, dances with joy, infusing the sound with a spirit of optimism, rather than heartache.

In the album’s closing pieces, Schottland invites us into the opulent flow of her artistry. The ethereal “Mushrooms in July” allows her pure alto to gracefully navigate through soothing organ and pedal steel sounds, creating beautiful melodic swirls. Meanwhile, “95 at Night” pulses with gentle beats while embracing softness, enveloping the melody with comforting vocal layers. The pedal steel in this track evokes a bittersweet beauty, delicately balancing sophistication and emotion. While Schottland’s style has never been strictly country, it shines most when subtle echoes of that genre emerge.

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