New York-based composer and singer Gabrielle Herbst has written commissioned classical pieces and operas, and is currently pursuing her masters at Yale School of Music. But for Empty Me, her second album as GABI, she explains, “I was not interested in virtuosity, really. I was drawn to music that had that element of necessity to it. I wanted to find that in myself and strip everything else away.” Welcoming the guidance of producer Eric Littmann and subtle contributions from friends on harp, flute, violin, synth, horns, and percussion, Herbst arrives at a record equal parts restless and sublime, urgent and ecstatic; experimental work that radiates with hope. It's out on Double Double Whammy.