My Heart Is An Outlaw

First album in 8 years from the Massachusetts-based singer-songwriter who performed for years as White Hinterland. Embraces cinematic, highly orchestrated pop structures while their lyrics deal with life’s often-messy contradictions. Extraordinary keyboards throughout, with lush arrangements that include brass on many of the cuts. Many quite catchy tracks, interspersed with a few more experimental offerings. RIYL: The Weather Station, Weyes Blood, Hurray For The Riff Raff or Joni Mitchell.
— Francis

Recommended: 2, 8, 6, 1, 3, 4. FCCs on Tracks 12-15.

1. (4:09) People Can Change (Clean Edit) — Jazzy sway. Piano forward with a crisp beat and brassy orchestral swells, with backing vocals and effects. ****
2. (7:59) Seventeen — Anthemic single. Disco-flavored, with swirling atmospherics over twinkling keys. Plaintive vocals reflect on the ups and downs of adolescence. Totally worth the 8 minutes! ****
3. (2:30) Your Girl’s Upstairs — Well-done bluesy and smokey rock. Languid stroll with distorted guitar, plus raw and honest lyrics about handling relationships and the misplaced desire for control. ***
4. (4:36) I’m So Glad You Came — Another somewhat jazzy tune. Their vocals and vibe here hint at times of a slightly sweeter Allison Russell. Chime-y lead break with violin flourishes. Very 1970s sound. ***
5. (3:00) 3 Of Cups — Dizzy waltz with muted guitars, a prominent bass line and distant piano.
6. (3:43) The Butcher Is My Friend (Clean Edit) — Energetic rocker. Shimmering synths. Thumping beat. Powerful lead vocals, with nice backing harmonies. Ends suddenly. ****
7. (5:36) Turncoats — Airy, crystalline vocals over hesitant drumbeats. Piano is layered in. A little like a jazzy Joni Mitchell composition.
8. (4:44) Outlaws (Clean Edit) — Bold, expansive rock. Slapping drums, tinkling piano and confident vocals soar over the soundscape. Reverbed saxophone in the trail-out. ****
9. (2:21) Junkyard Dog (Clean Edit) — Short, light and fun pop with a pulsing beat and playful vocals.
10. (5:27) Sucker — Another tune reminiscent of The Weather Station. Jazzy and complex piano-based pop, with Dienel’s vocals wafting over the melody. False ending at 4:30 and then adds a freeform jazzy trail-out.
11. (8:47) Tough Thing — Picks up where Track #10 leaves off, veering into an emotionally sprawling closer. Jittery and atmospheric layers, with lots of brass, effects and a persistent drum line throughout.
12. (4:09) People Can Change (Explicit) — FCCs: fuck, bullshit — Unedited version of track 1.
13. (3:42) The Butcher Is My Friend (Explicit) — FCC: shitty — Unedited version of track 6.
14. (4:44) Outlaws (Explicit) — FCC: fuck (3 times) — Unedited version of track 8.
15. (2:20) Junkyard Dog (Explicit) — FCCs: fuck — Unedited version of track 9.