As Ian Sweet, Jilian Medford has a unique voice. Her brand of alt-pop is both heartfelt and a bit acerbic in spots. Sucker, the newest Ian Sweet album, is out now via Polyvinyl. It is a release that deserves some attention.
The breathy "Bloody Knees" kicks things off, before "Smoking Again" kicks things into high gear. This one is a fine blast of music, a single ready for the big time, even as other numbers on Sucker suggest a more considered approach. The synth-laced "Emergency Contact" swells with emotion and regret, while "Comeback" is more subdued still. On her louder numbers, Ian Sweet nods in the direction of material from Courtney Barnett, while on the mellower numbers things more easily stake out a unique path.
I wish there was more on Sucker like "Smoking Again", yes, but I sort of enjoyed Ian Sweet's approach to this kind of thing here in 2023. The numbers are considered, heartfelt without being sappy, and the melodies pleasing. The textures recall those on the last Sweet album from a few years ago. That said, there's a little sameness to the second half of the record, but Sweet's vocals are enough to make these keyboard-drenched compositions linger in the ear for a spell. That is, until you go back and play "Smoking Again" again.
Sucker by Ian Sweet is out now via Polyvinyl.
[Photo: Christina Bryson]