As one half of the Los Angeles duo Girlpool, Avery Tucker contributed to an indie sound that exists at the intersection of rock and pop, exuding a blend of sweetness and heartfelt confessional lyrics. There’s an obvious connection to be made between the four albums from that group and his debut solo project, especially in tracks like ‘Malibu’, which features a simple arrangement and laid-back vocals, and the ‘90s alternative vibe of ‘Dusk’, delivering a series of striking lyrical moments (“Go by her house / To take things off the walls / Put on her necklace / That you’ll never take off”). However, in this new work, a darker tone emerges, oscillating between intimate, often somber classic singer-songwriter elements and catchy emo influences.
The latter is particularly notable, showcasing unexpected highlights such as ‘Rust’, which poses a question few anticipated: what if Angelo Badalamenti had recorded a My Chemical Romance track? “Can you learn to love what’s happened to you?” Avery ponders, casting his inquiry into the void with an air of both resignation and determination, while the subtle production ensures that his emotive vocal delivery does not become overdone: it’s a distinctly catchy moment. ‘Baby Broke’ leans more towards the earlier emo sound, while ‘Angel’ features MUNA’s Katie Gavin, whose backing vocals create a striking contrast above Avery’s lead, complemented by folk-inspired strings.
The rough textures of opener ‘Like I’m Young’ initially bristle before crashing into a lively, Bright Eyes-inspired energy, and Avery’s breaking vocals in ‘Big Drops’ enhance its gently melancholic ambiance. It isn’t until the closing track ‘11’ that both aspects of his sound seem to merge effortlessly. Here, Avery's whispered performance starts as a typical pseudo-epic conclusion but evolves with greater clarity throughout the track, offering a musical resolution to the album's introspective journey, enriched by A. G. Cook’s contributions. This effectively weaves together the various elements of ‘Paw’, resulting in a gratifying listening experience.
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La guida essenziale di DIY alle migliori nuove uscite musicali.
In vista del festival diurno pluripremiato di Middlesbrough, il cofondatore Andy Carr ci indica i suoi consigli migliori e le esibizioni da non perdere.
Recensore: Tom Morgan Pubblicato: 10 ottobre 2025 Etichetta: untitled (recs)
Stasera, nella sua bombastica gloria, è solo un'ulteriore prova che Gaga sarà sempre un'autentica originale.
Alternando brani intimi, spesso dal tono cupo e dal sapore cantautorale classico, a un emo orecchiabile.
Un'aggiunta encomiabile al canone dei The Wytches.
Shifting back and forth between deeply personal, frequently somber classic singer-songwriter music and catchy emo tunes.