Havasu

“Havasu” Pedro The Lion
At age 12, Pedro The Lion’s David Bazan moved with his family from Phoenix to Lake Havasu City in Arizona. Bazan’s recollection of his 7th grade insecurities in a brand new town and school provides the inspiration for the highly autobiographical “Havasu.” The album follows 2019’s “Phoenix” as the 2nd in a 5-part series revisiting Bazan’s childhood homes. The music is mostly low-key guitar rock with layered synths. Due to the melancholy themes, it can drag a bit at times. But there are a number of real gems on this album. RIYL: Headphones, The Hold Steady or Elvis Costello (his more mellow tracks).
— Francis

Highly recommended: 4, 5, 3, 2, 1, 8. Possible FCC on #1 (pissed off).

1. (4:03) Don’t Wanna Move — Mournful guitar hints at Bazan’s disappointment over his family’s move. Syncopated rhythm. Clashing guitars as tension builds. Subtle storm effects. Possible FCC: pissed off. ***
2. (3:29) Too Much — More of a confident strut. Bazan’s 7th grade self enters his new school for the 1st time. Emotive vocals. Noisy trail-out. ****
3. (5:17) First Drum Set — Storytelling ballad. Big reverbed guitars. Lyrics about wanting to switch in middle school from playing clarinet to saxophone, but then ending up learning the drums. Builds to bigger sound. ****
4. (4:16) Teenage Sequencer — Pulsing, shuffling, incredibly catchy pop tune. Guitars and atmospheric synths. Longing vocals. Thumping beat. ****
5. (3:17) Own Valentine — Simple, wistful stroll. Strummed and picked acoustic guitars over a toe-tapping rhythm. Sweet vocals. ****
6. (3:57) Making The Most Of It — Very deliberate, slow swing. Crooned vocals.
7. (3:21) Old Wisdom — Mesmerizing, chimey clocklike melody. Lyrics explore the conflict Bazan feels about the move to Lake Havasu City.
8. (4:33) Stranger — Chilling feelings of distance and loss. Repetitive guitar arpeggios with vocals that soar into falsettos at times — backed by a gentle tapping. ***
9. (4:46) Good Feeling — Halting and contemplative, as Bazan’s next family move (to Santa Cruz) awaits. Chimey guitar. Minimal bass and drums.
10. (2:38) Lost Myself — Fingerpicked, highly reverbed guitar. Introspective lyrics and vocals about Bazan’s time in Lake Havasu City.