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7.5/10
The lead singer of the band Grizzly Bear has ventured into the world of solo work, releasing his new debut album 'You Belong There', and it might just be the best debut of the year.
This was my first listening experience with Daniel Rossen, and it was one hell of a ride. I went in expecting a simple folk album, maybe with inspirations from the likes of Sufjan Stevens, with simple guitar melodies and luscious breathy vocals. While this was prominent in multiple songs, it was only the base of the track. Each track on this album is so dense with layered vocals, strings, and sounds that it keeps you locked in and hooked, waiting for what might happen next. On top of that, Rossen's songwriting is wonderful. The track "Unpeopled Space" dives straight into a personal lyric: "Ten years gone, was it worth it?" I learned that this was about Rossen's exit from New York city life into a more remote area of New York. Rossen explained that he wanted to "distance from the status-seeking and consumerism and career mania of New York". This is beautifully written and delivered by Rossen in this track.
The chaotic element of some of these tracks is what makes this "folk" album more experimental than your traditional folk project. The closing track "Repeat the Pattern" is a rollercoaster of sounds and emotions, bringing you in and out of a musical trance.
Despite the great experimentation and songwriting on this album, there are some underwhelming moments and songs that feel too dragged out. Although the project may be somewhat inconsistent, there are moments where all you can say is "wow".
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