Tragic Magic (Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore album)

Tragic Magic
Studio album by
Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore
ReleasedJanuary 16, 2026 (2026-01-16)
Length42:33
LabelInFiné
Producer
  • Julianna Barwick
  • Mary Lattimore
Julianna Barwick chronology
Healing Is a Miracle
(2020) 		Tragic Magic
(2026)
Mary Lattimore chronology
Goodbye, Hotel Arkada
(2023) 		Tragic Magic
(2026)

Tragic Magic is a collaborative studio album by American musicians Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore. It was released on January 16, 2026, through InFiné. It received universal acclaim from critics.[1]

Background

Julianna Barwick is an American composer, vocalist, and record producer.[2] Mary Lattimore is an American harpist.[3] Tragic Magic is their debut collaborative album.[4] It is Barwick's first record since Healing Is a Miracle (2020) and Lattimore's first record since Goodbye, Hotel Arkada (2023).[5] For the album, they were given access to the instrument collection of Philharmonie de Paris' Musée de la Musique.[6] The album was written and recorded in nine days.[4] It includes a cover version of Vangelis' "Rachel's Song" and a rendition of Roger Eno-written "Temple of the Winds".[7] The album was released on January 16, 2026, through InFiné.[7]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic83/100[1]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarStarHalf star[8]
Beats Per Minute80%[9]
Exclaim!7/10[10]
The GuardianStarStarStarStar[11]
Pitchfork7.4/10[12]
The SkinnyStarStarStarStar[13]

According to the review aggregator Metacritic, Tragic Magic received "universal acclaim" based on a weighted average score of 83 out of 100 from 11 critic scores.[1]

Safi Bugel of The Guardian described the album as "a wonderfully immersive set of new age and ambient tracks, where Barwick's airy, reverbed vocals and atmospheric synth washes interweave with, and accentuate, Lattimore's twinkling harp."[11] Heather Phares of AllMusic wrote, "Simply put, Tragic Magic is an affecting, powerfully gentle testament to the alchemy that comes from sharing the burdens -- and opportunities -- of hard times with love and creativity."[8] Richie Assaly of Exclaim! stated, "Though it may be categorized as experimental or avant-garde, Tragic Magic is an accessible and rewarding listen."[10]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore, except "Rachel's Song" by Vangelis and "Temple of the Winds" by Roger Eno.

Tragic Magic track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Perpetual Adoration"5:33
2."The Four Sleeping Princesses"7:05
3."Rachel's Song"4:15
4."Haze with No Haze"7:12
5."Temple of the Winds"2:37
6."Stardust"7:11
7."Melted Moon"8:37
Total length:42:33

Personnel

Credits adapted from liner notes.[14][15]

  • Julianna Barwick – arrangement, production, performance, synthesizer
  • Mary Lattimore – arrangement, production, performance, harp
  • Trevor Spencer – additional production, sound recording, mixing
  • Heba Kadry – mastering
  • Cat Solen – cover art, executive design
  • David Normand – executive design

Charts

Chart performance for Tragic Magic
Chart (2026) Peak
position
UK Album Downloads (OCC)[16] 23

References

  1. ^ a b c "Tragic Magic by Julianna Barwick & Mary Lattimore". Metacritic. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  2. ^ Phares, Heather. "Julianna Barwick". AllMusic. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  3. ^ Simpson, Paul. "Mary Lattimore". AllMusic. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  4. ^ a b Eede, Christian (October 14, 2025). "Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore Unveil Joint Album, 'Tragic Magic'". The Quietus. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  5. ^ LaPierre, Megan (October 15, 2025). "Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore Announce New Album 'Tragic Magic,' North American Tour". Exclaim!. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  6. ^ Chelosky, Danielle (October 14, 2025). "Julianna Barwick & Mary Lattimore Announce New Album Tragic Magic: Hear "Melted Moon"". Stereogum. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  7. ^ a b Monroe, Jazz (October 14, 2025). "Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore Announce Joint Album and Tour, Share New Song: Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  8. ^ a b Phares, Heather. "Tragic Magic - Julianna Barwick, Mary Lattimore". AllMusic. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  9. ^ McMullen, Chase (January 16, 2026). "Album Review: Julianna Barwick & Mary Lattimore – Tragic Magic". Beats Per Minute. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  10. ^ a b Assaly, Richie (January 15, 2026). "Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore's 'Tragic Magic' Is for Getting Lost". Exclaim!. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  11. ^ a b Bugel, Safi (January 16, 2026). "Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore: Tragic Magic review – tragedy and hope in a dreamlike haze". The Guardian. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  12. ^ Richardson, Mark (January 16, 2026). "Julianna Barwick / Mary Lattimore: Tragic Magic". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  13. ^ Creely, Joe (January 12, 2026). "Julianna Barwick & Mary Lattimore – Tragic Magic". The Skinny. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  14. ^ "Tragic Magic | Julianna Barwick & Mary Lattimore". Bandcamp. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  15. ^ "Tragic Magic | Mary Lattimore & Julianna Barwick". Bandcamp. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  16. ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart on 23/1/2026 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 1, 2026.

Further reading

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