Car Seat Headrest – “Gethsemane”
A
It’s good to hear from Will Toledo and the band again. From what I remember, there were some health complications post-Covid. Not only have they returned from hiatus, but they did it with a ten minute single. It’s nothing groundbreaking, but it’s a good listen and one of those great tracks that feels rewarding once you settle in for the ride.
Black Country, New Road – “Happy Birthday”
B
A little torn on the new BCNR stuff. I did enjoy their most recent live album. And nothing against the rest of the band, but the lack of their previous lead vocalist does make this a different project entirely. The rest of the crew is still immensely talented, but it doesn’t really feel like the BCNR that I fell in love with a few years ago.
TOLEDO – “Amends”
B+
For the first half of the track, I was preparing myself for some standard TOLEDO acoustic indie folk. That first two to three minutes is almost like some throwback stuff for the band. But the horns that come in toward the end really elevate this. It’s beautifully composed in the second half. Makes me wish that was the whole song.
Doechii – “Anxiety”
C+
When I heard the little xylophone from “Somebody That I Used to Know”, I was thrilled. Unfortunately, Doechii doesn’t really justify its use as the basis for the track here. This is lacking in the personality that her 2024 mixtape was absolutely brimming with.
Jason Isbell – “Crimson and Clay”
A
He doesn’t really miss. This one is beautifully written. Some great, imaginative, storytelling from Isbell on this single. Really a pretty song.
Djo – “Delete Ya”
B
I like it. I don’t know if it’s all that interesting. I enjoyed the previous single more, but I think that’s based on the last minute alone. In the case of “Delete Ya”, it’s more consistent. I like the chorus. Overall, I’m very curious what this album ends up being. I like Djo a lot, especially the debut album.
Leave a Reply