El Perro Del Mar - do not despair, 2008

"Assbring handles the production chores with a gentle and caring touch, mostly forsaking the chamber pop sound she previously utilized for a sparser, more delicate sound, though she can still create miniature symphonies with ease when the song calls for it. With the production, the songs, and above all her amazing vocal persona, Assbring and El Perro del Mar create a world of their own here. It's not a world for everyone - you need a hearty soul to survive - but if you can hack it, From the Valley to the Stars is a fairly magical trip to the center of heartache."