It’s not very often the folk world crosses over to the often sacred world of jazz music, but in the case of Nina Nastasia and Jim White (Dirty Three), there is a blend of two of music’s most often considered, purist genres. Although Nastasia is not your conformist folk artist, nor White a jazz artist – one of the reasons they clash so well within their new record, You Follow Me – is because of their non-conformity to these respective genres.

While I’ve never quite taken a liking to the genre tag or “free-folk” or any of those preposterous labels (such as post-rock, which White’s group the Dirty Three is often grouped within) – I do think that both these artists have a certain keen understanding of the ethos behind the avant-garde, improvised jazz world. While Nastasia builds these mini folk-epics that put the verse-chorus song structure in the trash bucket, White builds tension around the tranquility her songs have to offer. Without the contributions of White’s sparse drumming, it’s hard to say this record would carry the same effect. This isn’t to say Nastasia’s songs can’t hold their own by any means – but like any free-form record, it’s damned near impossible to concentrate on anything else other than the music filling the atmosphere at that time. This is the specific charm that Jim brings to You Follow Me, whenever the kit breaks in – your ears stand to full attention.

But enough bragging about White here, because Nastasia is building quite a hefty reputation in her own right. Now, I’m not quite sure what happened to honesty within the realm of honing songwriting skills – but while everyone else is off trying to build Pitchfork points, Nastasia is off joining the realms of folks like PJ Harvey and Bill Callahan (which oddly enough, White plays with both) when it comes to the most brutal form of honesty within songwriting. On “I Come After You,” she leaves a profound statement on the egocentric mindset we all achieve during extended relationships, claiming “Don’t think you are exceptional/Don’t dream you’re better than anyone else/ You’re only feeling good/A sober night would do you good.” Thank God for songwriters that say things that most of us don’t have the cahones to say.

Jim White and Nina Nastasia have the edge that comes along during a new collaboration, but they play together like true veterans. You Follow Me is a testament to the beauty in simplicity in the raw form of genuine songwriting.