Ryan

Just bought this one on vinyl - so so worth it. It's raw, it's acoustic, and Elliot's voice is just so hauntingly familiar. In many ways this album is the purest form of art, just absolute emotion become music.

It’s a “Christmas” album but perfect for literally any occasion. While you’re cooking, playing cards, simply lounging about. Of course, there’s the iconic “Linus and Lucy,” but have you heard “Greensleeves”??? What a masterpiece of a song. Each chord is played like it was always meant to be there - just flowing straight out of the fingertips. On top of that relaxed drum beat and the double bass’s beautiful acoustic timbre? It’s a yes from me. Iconic, in fact.

Are you in the mood to FEEL? “Skylight” by Montclair’s own emo/alt-country band Pinegrove will transport you with its longing guitar tones, contemplative chord and rhythm changes, and lead singer Evan Stephens-Hall’s iridescent lyrical metaphors. The album begins with “Rings” and “Portal” and “Intrepid,” which I believe are the 3 best songs on the record, all back-to-back. It is an immersive opening that lets the listener in to Stephens-Hall’s mindset as he comes to terms with loss in a relationship. “Isn’t it lonely? I’ll never hold you the way you held me up.” Or, “If we learn to love ourselves better, maybe we could commit?” The next song, “Paterson & Leo,” is a re-recording of a song from their previous record. Not all songs should be re-done, but Pinegrove truly outdoes themselves here. If you’re in the mood for a good cry, I suggest hopping in your car at 1am, driving some back roads, and throwing this on. At just 2 minutes long, the song is an ode to the Stephens-Hall’s 2 dogs and their friendship to one another. It’s beautiful if taken literally, but also offers an analogy to the human connection. I think of the same person every time it comes on. All of our great memories together. Some other highlights on this project are “Angelina,” one of my Pinegrove’s more popular tracks (and most brilliant melodies), “Easy Enough,” which features some of the most beautiful building of harmonies you’ll ever hear, and “Darkness,” a song that instills an undeniably meditative motif. More than anything, what Pinegrove delivers here is the universal feeling of confusion, loss, friendship, and humanity through melancholic guitars and raw, emotive drumming that mimics a change of feeling over time. I highly recommend that you give this album a listen. Prepare yourself to be broken and rebuilt.

On “Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You,” every song is an instant classic and so sonically distinct. Take the alternative percussion in “Time Escaping” for example, (like, HOW did they make this??) and then immediately following it, “Spud Infinity,” which is a jaw harp folk-country jam. Not to mention, “Change” opens the record and perfectly sets up our world with a stripped-back performance of pure, speculative feeling. “Could I set everything free? When I watch you holding her the way you once held me?” The album sits at 20 songs. That’s a lot of music! None of this runtime is wasted, however. Buck Meek’s guitar playing is stunningly explorative and experimental throughout, and James Krivchenia’s drum patterns are unique and fit right into this universe’s pocket. And Adrienne Lenker shreds on her lyrics of course, diving straight through to the core of each sentiment. In a standout track, “Simulation Swarm,” she sings “You are the river of light who I love, that I cling to in the belly of the empty night.” Lenker is one of the finest poets of this generation. I could go on and on here, so you might as well just take a listen and decide for yourself. No matter what, I promise you will find meaning in it.