Since the release of their debut album, "Red Your Blues", in 2001, Picastro have continued to mine a rich seam of beautifully melancholic (and sometimes menacing) avant-folk/rock. The fourth album, "Become Secret", finds them on top form once again, with the familiar accompaniment of cello, acoustic guitar, drums and piano employed to great effect on songs that incorporate Eastern European folk themes, bleak cinematic soundscapes and dark, unsettling pop. Frontwoman and songwriter Liz Hysen shares vocal duties on several songs with guest vocalists including Tony Dekker (Great Lake Swimmers), Brendan Massei (Viking Moses), Colleen Kinsella (Fire On Fire, Cerberus Shoal), and John McIntyre.

The album has already started to get rave reviews. "Lead singer Liz Hysen sounds like the ghost of Joni Mitchell, combining the legend's deep tones with an unsettling hollowness. Picastro is a genuine talent and Become Secret comes highly recommended," says Pop Wreckoning. Chart Attack adds that "the 'sleep rock' label has been dogging Picastro for a while now... but there's definitely nothing boring about Become Secret." Exclaim sums it up best in calling the album "hypnotic, beautiful and heartbreaking."