The Letting Go

Untitled

The Letting Go is a 2006 album by Bonnie 'Prince' Billy. It was recorded in Reykjavík, Iceland and produced by Valgeir Sigurðsson, who is known for his work with the Icelandic artist Björk. This album's arrangement was done by Nico Muhly. Dawn McCarthy of Faun Fables also sings on the album.

The album's name comes from the last lines of the Emily Dickinson poem that starts "After a Great Pain, A Formal Feeling Comes."

This is the hour of lead

Remembered if outlived,
As freezing persons recollect the snow,

First chill, then stupor, then the letting go.

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic
Pitchfork Media	(8.2/10)

The music review online magazine Pitchfork Media placed The Letting Go at number 195 on their list of top 200 albums of the 2000s.

Track listing

1. "Love Comes to Me" – 4:31
2. "Strange Form of Life" – 3:46
3. "Wai" – 3:37
4. "Cursed Sleep" – 5:35
5. "No Bad News" – 4:45
6. "Cold & Wet" – 2:21
7. "Big Friday" – 2:43
8. "Lay and Love" – 3:50
9. "The Seedling" – 4:36
10. "Then the Letting Go" – 5:19
11. "God's Small Song" – 4:05
12. "I Called You Back" – 7:53
13. "Ebb Tide" – 5:14 (hidden track). Bonus track on some versions, "Untitled" on some versions.

Personnel

• Emmett Kelly – guitar
• Dawn McCarthy – singing
• Paul Oldham – bass
• Valgeir Sigurdsson – recording, mixing
• Jim White – drums