(Photo Credit: Alysse Gafkjen)
Advance Review - Julien Baker: Little Oblivions (February 26, 2021) via Matador Records
Julien Baker's Little Oblivions is very much the Nashville singer/songwriter's call to action for the current times we find ourselves in. Times where racial injustice are a pervasive aspect of our culture, where the rich eat the poor, and where people are desperate for hope. Baker wrestles with loneliness and anguish in Little Oblivions like few lyricists can. Conversely, Baker tackles self-improvement and hope on the record too, which obviously are needed in this time as well.
Musically, Baker is brilliant on Little Oblivions. She mixes keys and guitars for a sound that's expansive and that embraces the listener. "Relative Fiction" and "Ringside" feel so large in scope, especially in comparison to Baker's lower-key tracks. It's great to see this musical experimentation on the part of Baker. Baker also displays her signature vocal range throughout the album. One of my favorite examples of how perfectly she blends music and vocals comes on "Crying Wolf". It's so emotive, few musicians can achieve what Baker does here.
At just 25 years old with Little Oblivions, Baker continues to show why she's one of the best in alternative music today. She's a master lyricist, composer, and has a unique voice with something to say. Don't miss out on Little Oblivions, you'll be sure to regret it. It's another step forward for the powerhouse singer/songwriter.
Rating - 5/5