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Label(s): Softseed Music / Audio Antihero / Self Released
As I was realizing where I wanted Softseed Music to go, stylistically speaking, it came of great consequence that I checked out an email from the always reliable Audio Antihero. They had recently got me hooked on Magana so after reading the description I delved into "Flowers Fell", picked up my jaw, then listened to the entire album, collected myself, and then hit up Avery with something close to "demanding" this release got vinyl treatment. And so we did. The album received glowing reviews and seemed very much like the beginning of what I wanted Softseed Music to be. So thank you, Avery.
On her debut album 'New Thing' Brooklyn artist AVERY FRIEDMAN comes off sounding like a seasoned veteran. The album opens with a bit of a misdirection, as "Into" is a minute and fifty-three seconds of a lone guitar and spoken word that is our introduction, but I personally would have loved to see it as an interlude or closer as I feel the second/title track "New Thing" gets things going in the exact direction that 1) you'd expect because it it is more representative of the rest of the album and 2) it's a fantastic song. Written following a mugging in which she attempts to deal with life after such a violent intrusion of one's safety, trust, and mental well-being, Avery is able to transform the terrible and ugly into something both beautiful and catchy. The song begins with a commanding but gentle lead guitar that carries the song, with vocals kicking in alongside the other instruments after about 15 seconds of introduction. The subtle inflections in the vocal delivery is phenomenal, and considering this is her debut album, that's really saying something. By the time the chorus kicks in you'll be in full head-bob mode, as the vocals shift from a uniquely shattered cadence to a flowing, comforting, and warm embrace. Fuckin' stellar.
Another absolute banger is "Flowers Fell" which was the song that I heard first so it's pretty important to me. Not only is it whimsical and empowering, but - again, the way Avery shifts her vocals around is fantastic. Case in point, during the primary line of, "The flowers fell off when I was asleep, but it's okay cuz now it's all green," she bounces back and forth with her delivery of "it's all green" where you gotta stay on your toes if trying to sing along, as sometimes she pauses and sometimes she lets the notes hang around. I love that kind of attention to detail. "Photo Booth" is next, bringing in a heavier, very bass-driven sound to the record. It borders on shoegaze and 80s goth rock but at the same time sounds like neither, which makes it a unique piece of this album.
"Finger Painting" is my other fave jam, which weaves itself like an automatic loom. The build in this track is fantastic, as it begins with a stripped-down, subdued chorus that one might assume would be an opening verse, culminating in the fleshed-out and harder hitting second chorus almost two minutes in. The last minute of the track focuses on some wild guitar and echoed vocals from past before receding back into the shadows. "Somewhere To Go" is another great song, it's just a bit more minimal in its approach, as the bass drives this sucker along with additional help from whispery vocals that are obviously restraining immense power, giving their hushed delivery a very commanding presence. "Biking Standing" is a decent song with slight country vibes that doesn't hit as hard for me, as it seems sorta half-speed, and is therefore a great song to relax to. Closer "Nervous" was, I'm pretty sure, the catalyst for Avery embracing her own music, as she played it for friends around a campfire after being highly solitary beforehand. It's painfully honest and direct as it wraps all those feelings in a warm blanket, partially smothering their fire and easing the pain, all the whilst making them approachable and solvable.
Goddamn I can't wait for more material. This stuff is so good and, for the last time, IT'S HER FIRST FREAKIN' RELEASE! Please check it out, grab and digitally from her and if you are so inclined please pick up the clear/blue record from her or the stupid fancy from Softseed Music! There's also a live studio video of "Finger Painting" embedded below as well as a podcast I did with her.
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