There's a song on the new one from Nicole Yun called "Like Never Before" and I wonder if the former Eternal Summers musician was using that title to tell us something. Matter, out tomorrow via Kanine Records, certainly punches harder in spots than anything Nicole's done so far. And as much as 2019's Paper Suit was loved around here, I think this is a more consistent record overall.
"Lost Keys" churns, working itself up into a catchy frenzy, while "Heavy Voices" is a lumbering beast. A charming drunk of a tune, the big chords push this into the eardrums and a listener gets lost in the vibe that's part Juliana Hatfield, part Belly. "Always the Same" ramps down the riffs, using a hook-filled chorus to bounce against the yearning verses. It's a wonderful bit of indie-pop, as is the roaring "Desperation I Know", another winner that recalls Nineties college rock. The ruminative "The Ballad Of" unfurls with a deliberateness that lets Nicole's voice and guitar find a way forward with real aching clarity.
Nicole's voice is such a great weapon that it's that juxtaposition between her vocals and a yearning melodic-line that creates such a wonderful bit of pop drama in these cuts. Wisely moving away from the restrictions of genre, Nicole really sounds at ease here, operating on her own terms and more in command than ever before. Even when letting herself sound vulnerable, Yun remains a distinctive and forceful performer, maybe more so now than on her first solo record. These are hefty rockers, and ones filled with hooks, heart, and smarts in large doses.
Matter by Nicole Yun is out tomorrow via Kanine Records.
[Photo: Aaron Spicer]