Review Summary: My own space
I fucking hate anxiety. Any time that my own personal bubble is invaded, whether it’s by wading through a sea of people or having all eyes on me while I deliver a speech, having my own space occupied like that is deeply uncomfortable. I think that’s why I’ve gravitated to genres like new age and shoegaze over time, as both tend to break up any sense of claustrophobia and tension for music that sounds more expansive and… well, spacious. While Flock of Dimes doesn’t fall under those styles, the opening track of her new album
Head of Roses immediately lifted my burdens off my shoulders and gave me space to breathe. Jenn Wasner, the musician behind this particular project, faced a significant amount of loss after experiencing a breakup during the COVID pandemic; perhaps appropriately, the music found on
Head of Roses is more stripped-down and subdued than her work with Wye Oak. Lovely dreamlike keyboard melodies are met with fuzzy spaced-out guitars, as Wasner explores the different stages of grief and separation. More than anything, there’s a very “reluctant” nature to the music here, as if Wasner didn’t want each instrument to impose upon one another.
Take, for instance, the song “Two”: the quiet synths blend wonderfully with the shimmering guitar lines, but neither take center stage. Hell, neither do Wasner’s vocals. There’s no overstepping of boundaries, as every instrument sounds locked in with the neat off-kilter (7/8-time!) groove of the drums. For a record that’s so melancholic and draining, there’s a surprising relaxation to the whole experience; the astounding minimalist melodies of “Lightning” are hypnotic and almost zen-like, as the saxophone solo nervously creeps in with its breathy harmonies. Similarly trance-like is the stripped-down piece “No Question”; the piano constantly goes in and out of tune, as if you’re listening to an old worn-out jukebox. It gives off a strange sense of nostalgia, while Wasner herself delivers sublimely airy and soft vocals on top. If I haven’t given enough away yet, the best thing about
Head of Roses is how it uses atmosphere and musical space. Headphones are an ideal way to listen to the record, allowing you to grasp all the little nuances between the cracks as you listen more intently. But despite its depressing subject matter and vibe,
Head of Roses works best as an anxiety-killing piece of calm, relaxing indie pop/rock. It immediately puts me at ease with its reverbed guitars and sentimental keyboard melodies, reminding me that I need to let it all go once in a while. With everything that’s going on in the world right now, I think we all need a bit more space to breathe.
