Building from (or stealing) a concept from the guys at Sound Opinions, this is the first installment in a (maybe recurring) new part of my end-of-year review where I touch on an album or two I missed before. These are albums I didn’t discover (or give sufficient time to) until after I’d posted my previous year end lists but I’ve since fallen in love with. Rather than retroactively updating my old “Top 10” lists (cause where would that end?) I thought I’d take a minute to unbury some of these treasures and give them their due.
[From 2021] Due North, Liam Kazar
I hadn’t heard of Liam Kazar until he opened for The New Pornographers at their show this fall. There was a smooth charm and charism to both his performance and songwriting that immediately won over the crowd. His debut album, released in 2021, has a significantly more produced sound than his live set and adds a stronger 70’s smooth-rock vibe. Kazar’s lyrics cover the usual love and loss but with sprinkles of self-deprecation and humor, combined with the bright, buoyant grooves of the backing band. There are aspects of yacht rock, but more importantly, the distinct influences of producer Jeff Tweedy. I’m pretty sure a younger me would not have given this album a chance but the “almost 50” me has been playing this one on repeat.
[From 2020] Introduction, Presence, Nation of Language
While Liam Kazar’s album was channeling late 70’s rock, the Nation of Language are full-on embracing 80’s new wave. This is synth-pop of a very specific palette. I’ve seen some critics refer to it as “comfort food,” in the tone a snooty, health food purist might use. I too can understand that wariness about overly derivative records that seem geared to capitalize on nostalgic trigger points. All that said, what I hear from this NYC trio is that they’ve taken a sincere love of 80’s synth-pop, put together quality songwriting, added their own melodic groove, and won me over in the process.
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