Author: Michael
boygenius – boygenius EP
The much talked about EP from super group boygenius is the work of Lucy Dacus, Phoebe Bridgers and Julien Baker. Each singer brought one song to the project along with one additional idea. The result is a six song EP that takes in folk, country, and indie rock. It is no surprise that the strong female group has covered the Dixie Chicks in concert.
Highlights include the EP rock opener “Bite The Hand” that features all three singers on the powerful “I can’t love you how you want me to” refrain. “Me and My Dog” has a super pop country chorus and “Salt in the Wound” has some of the best harmonies on the EP’s 22 minutes. The acoustic closer “Ketchum, ID” doesn’t quite work but that is a minor quibble on a good collection of songs.
7/10
…up up in the madness…
…you blown it, I know it…
Snail Mail – Lush (2018)
Just as summer was starting, 19 year old Lindsey Jordan’s debut album as Snail Mail was released by Matador Records. Matador is a fitting label for Lush as it recalls early 90s “slacker” bands like Pavement and Jale. Growing up in Maryland, Jordan was a big hockey fan and player, the sport features prominently in the video for second single “Heatwave” whose upbeat chorus and crunching guitars are one of the finest moments on the album.
Jordan’s deadpan delivery doesn’t change much over the course of the melancholy ten tracks. On first single, “Pristine” it is used to great effect as she delivers the lines “it just feels like the same party every weekend…and if you do find someone better/I’ll still see you in everything”. The drum fills and tambourine on “Let’s Find An Out” add a subtle dimension to the song. “Speaking Terms” features a nice guitar line with drums punched up in the mix. Elsewhere, Lush is an album where the singles are certainly a step above the other tracks. With four very good songs, Snail Mail has a lot to grow on.
6/10
The Light Appears 