Embracing themes of non-public progress and self-discovery inside a memorable vary of rock and people, Rising up, rising out is the consuming debut full-length from Saint Nick the Lesser. The manufacturing excels in its commendable tonal selection, starting from the dynamic pull of “Catfish Bones” — which traverses from Waits-esque people grittiness right into a gripping organ-infused rock ardor — to the punchy brass-laden folk-rock of “God Bless.” The eclectic musical palate combines with storytelling lyricism for a standout listening expertise from the artist, who notes that he “grew up enjoying in punk, ska, and anti-folk bands” and takes specific inspiration from artists like “Laura Jane Grace, Chuck Regan, Tim Barry, and most notably Frank Turner.”
The album is a decade-long assortment of songs that, whereas not an idea album, unintentionally displays the artist’s private journey towards embracing life’s uncertainty. He notes the title as being “a reference to my sense of individuation and maturation all through this process-of transcending my very own limits, and totally embracing myself as an artist.” Saint Nick the Lesser continues: “Basically, I hope it conjures up others to do the identical, as life has been more and more extra lovely the extra I’ve considered it in flux.”
Opening observe “21 Minutes” resonates in its radiant people sound, pairing regular acoustics and twinkling keys amidst lyrics that convey a pivotal second within the artist’s journey towards self-acceptance and embracing life’s uncertainty. “The scars on my wrists reminders… That I used to be at all times greater than sufficient,” the observe concludes with highly effective poignancy, following depictions of being obsessive about “self-portraits of all my errors” and constructing “a wall” in opposition to others. The “don’t do it, ’trigger you’re value it” beckoning is particularly affecting, in being a reassurance to these considering private demise.
One other standout observe, “Cassandra” exudes heartache in mourning a toddler’s loss. “I by no means held you in my arms however nonetheless I carry you with me,” vocals let loose alongside twangy, forlorn guitars, alternating between sorrow and comprehensible anger, with remarks like “I as soon as believed in God and if he exists, once I die he’ll hear from me.” The album melds these visceral, private moments with broader briskness, like “Practice Tracks” — the place a twangy Americana appeal pairs with lyrical perception, using a runaway prepare as a metaphor for overwhelming emotional struggles; it’s one other suave depiction of the album’s themes, capturing the method of studying to anticipate, survive, and step away from life’s tumults by embracing consciousness and alter.
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“21 Minutes” and different tracks featured this month might be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Rising Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We found this launch through MusoSoup.
