When Julianna Barwick sings, you can’t really understand what she’s saying. But—like with Sigur Ros—the lyrics don’t really matter; Barwick’s able to convey all the heart and emotion in the world through her angelic voice, relying on the exquisite tones of her vocals to connect with her listeners. On her newest album, The Magic Place, the Brooklyn-based singer layers and loops sky-high chorales of bright vocals along barely-there piano, synth, and guitar, creating cosmic, stirring melodies. It’s a little impossible to listen to the album without thinking of ancient cathedrals and glowing lights–songs such as “Envelop” and “White Flag” are like mystical, modern-day Gregorian chants. The album title proves to be scarily true–getting lost in this music transports you to some magical place all in your head. With Esben and the Witch. ERIN K. THOMPSON

Fri., March 25, 10 p.m., 2011