As we discussed last week, Marissa Nadler is on the rise. The Boston-based singer/songwriter is releasing her third album, which is self-titled, independently.

The album kicks off with “In Your Lair, Bear,” which is six minutes of skeletal chords and the haunting sound of a ghostly slide guitar. The songstress’s voice has a sense of beautiful sadness, which reflects the tone of the track. As many of the alt-folk artists can attest, the inclusion of the slide guitar feels necessary these days and on this track, it’s hard to imagine if the darkness that is implied here would feel the same without it.

Plucking of a guitar and Nadler’s familiar vocals start of “The Sun Always Reminds Me Of You.” Though a slide track lingers throughout, this track is powered by the singer’s soulful voice. The emotion and feeling that you get when you hear her vocals is powerful and makes you feel invested in her lyrics. It’s almost as if the song creates a new genre of dream-folk here; taking folk to places it’s never been before.

The subterranean, funky grooves (not in the ‘90s hip-hop sense) and slow, tension-build of “Baby, I Will Leave You In The Morning” is one of the highlights of the record.  Once again, the instrumentation is dark, but Nadler makes it work in a way only she can. There is a lot more going on musically than any other of the tracks and gives a glimpse to the potential that the singer can unleash on her next record. It’s a very mature sound and features an incredible build throughout, peaking at the track’s end.

If Marissa Nadler can continue to write songs like “Baby” then she is going to have a long, successful career. That song along with a few others (“Wedding,” “In A Magazine”) demonstrates her ability to write terrific, complex songs that are filled with maturity and terrific melody.  Nadler is a terrific talent and as this record proves, if she harnesses that talent, then the only direction she can go is up.

Nadler’s record is out today and you can get it through her website and any major retailer.