Album of the Month: October 2020

This was a tough decision. October proved to be an exciting month for music with a lot of good releases and previews for future releases. I personally encourage all to listen to the new stellar collection of tracks released by Gorillaz and 21 Savage/Metro Boomin. However, I feel that Adrianne Lenker’s Songs is a project that captures beauty in simplicity, which is why it is unique. While Adrianne has experienced success leading her band Big Thief, Songs sticks out as wholly her own. 

Taking inspiration from legendary artists such as Elliot Smith and Nick Drake, Adrianne’s main tools across Songs is her guitar and her voice. While there may be other sounds or light percussion, Adrianne layers multiple intricate acoustic guitar patterns to create beauty. A particular highlight of Adrianne’s guitar prowess is the intro to “my angel” as the guitar gently mixes folk and jazz into the void of nature. In addition, Adrianne’s unique vocals seem to be completely natural and gentle over each track. Her trembling voice, common in her work with Big Thief, can be found on tracks like “come”.  Adrianne’s guitar and vocals on Songs combine to create a raw and delicate tapestry of music.

Not only is the sound of this album great, but Adrianne’s lyrics are both touching and heartbreaking. On Songs, Adrianne reflects and meditates on her sexuality, her love, her connection with nature, and her feelings of loneliness. Adrianne is both poetic and down to earth throughout each acoustic ballad. On the beautiful song “Anything”, Adrianne sings “Staring down the barrel of the hot sun/Shining with the sheen of the shotgun/Careless little swinging sun/Joyous rays, we wanna come.” This poignant mixture of nature with personal feeling makes up the majority of the album.The Verdict: For its refreshing simplicity, beautiful acoustic palette, and heart-filled lyricism, I believe that Songs is October 2020’s Album of the Month.