Impressions

Alex Tibbitts, harp. Self-released, 2025.

Fourteen years ago, harpist Alex Tibbitts survived a horrific car accident, an experience that left half her body reinforced with titanium and earned her the moniker she now proudly embraces, “The Bionic Harpist.” Her latest release, Impressions, is an experimental electro-harp project that uses modified harps and wearable sensors to fuse classical technique with real-time, gesture-controlled sound processing.  

The result is a lush reverie, nostalgic, mystical, groove-laden, and utterly gorgeous. Night of Violet drifts and soothes, buoyed by Tibbitts’ earthy mezzo voice. This Is Love leans into a rawer energy, especially with the addition of Stefan Schneider’s drums and a richly woven tapestry of strings. Don’t Trust It unfolds with deceptive ease: “Don’t get mad,” she murmurs in a luxuriant stack of overdubbed vocals, “get a little bit feisty.” Breaking Teeth feels almost physical in its impact, while Stillness envelops the listener in an alien, luminous sound world. Moving is a reminder that while Tibbitts may be bionic in body, she is above all, a consummate musician, in full command of her art on every level.