There’s something quietly compelling about Mt. Kili’s second full-length offering ‘The Noticer’. It unfolds patiently, rooted in observation, memory, and the kind of emotional clarity that only comes from lived experience.
At the centre of the record is Rick Sichta’s songwriting; still intimate in spirit, but now framed within a broader, more collaborative sound. Where earlier material leaned heavily on stripped-back recordings, ‘The Noticer’ expands its palette with a full band presence. The addition of drums and violin feels particularly significant as structural elements that deepen the album’s sense of movement and texture.
There’s a natural evolution at play here. The songs retain the reflective, almost diary-like quality that defined Sichta’s earlier work, but they now sit within arrangements that feel more considered and immersive. Tracks move between delicate acoustic passages and fuller, layered moments without losing their core identity.
What stands out most is the album’s pacing. It resists urgency, allowing each idea to develop gradually. This measured approach suits the themes of attention, presence, and the act of noticing the small details that often go overlooked that run through the record.
And the instrumentation reflects that mindset. Guitar lines remain central, but they’re supported by subtle rhythmic shifts and the occasional swell of violin, which adds warmth without overwhelming the arrangements. The interplay between these elements feels organic, as though the songs have grown into their final form rather than being constructed piece by piece.
In a broader context, ‘The Noticer’ sits comfortably within contemporary folk, though it avoids strict categorisation. There are traces of indie-folk looseness and moments that lean toward something more expansive, but the album’s identity comes from its consistency of tone than anything else.
Ultimately, ‘The Noticer’ is a record that rewards patience through careful songwriting and a clear sense of purpose. It’s a strong step forward for Mt. Kili, an album that feels more assured, more complete, and quietly resonant long after it ends.