This was my first time listening to Waxahatchee. I resisted the urge to google the name "Waxahatchee" before finishing the album, so throughout, I pictured a beautiful Native American woman serenading me from a field in the middle of America. But I'm probably not supposed to say that.
Moving on, I was stunned by the beautiful musical production and the raw, genuine, unabashedly imperfect vocals. The woman knows how to lean into her god-given pipes! She brings me back to the days of Natalie Merchant and Alanis Morissette when I was but a babe. And maybe also... Taylor Swift?
But, readers, be warned, if you're looking for an album with a rich harmonic palette, go elsewhere. Stevie Wonder will suit your purposes far better. Most of the songs on this album use four chords or less, but where this album lacks in chords (number, ingenuity), it makes up for in the creative use of instruments and subtle details that build tension and surprise the listener. There are clever phrases and "word paintings" galore that make you stop and ask yourself "did they intentionally make the music pause at the phrase 'touch and go'?" and the answer, I believe, is damn straight.
I appreciate an album that is cohesive, lets me relax into it, and would feel good accompanying a highway, open windows, and sunshine. But I also appreciate an album that challenges me, which again... maybe I should go listen to more Stevie Wonder. Altogether a lovely piece with clear intentionality and top-notch sound production, creative lyrics. and a stellar vocal. Enjoy!
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