We’ve heard The Conformist‘s quietly exultant opener “Breathing Out.” Those familiar with Thomas Bartlett’s project know that as Doveman, Bartlett rarely raises his voice above a whisper, even when the atmospherically dense music — often performed by members of the National, Nico Muhly, Sam Amidon, etc. — and voices around him start bellowing. A good example comes later in the album via “Angel’s Share,” which finds Bartlett leading a choir of Matt Berninger, Aaron Dessner, Martha Wainwright, and Amidon without losing his quiet cool. (Beth Orton, Glen Hansard, Norah Jones, and others sing along with Bartlett elsewhere on the collection, which is out soon via Brassland.) A flick of the wrist and it’s straight through your heart.

• Doveman – “Angel’s Share”Download

The Conformist is out 10/20 via Brassland. The first 10 orders of the disc receive a free t-shirt and a copy of Doveman’s previous album With My Left Hand I Raise The Dead…. He’s on tour soon in support of Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová’s the Swell Season.

11/03 – Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall
11/04 – Montreal, QC @ Olympia de Montreal
11/06 – Boston, MA @ Berklee Performance Center
11/07 – Providence, RI @ Lupo’s
11/08 – Philadelphia, PA @ Merriam Theater
11/09 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
11/20 – Oakland, CA @ Paramount Theatre
11/22 – Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre
11/24 – Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom
11/25 – Vancouver, BC @ The Center