WHO IS HE? The journeyman Brooklyn singer-songwriter and occasional duet partner of Scarlett Johansson.
WHAT IS THIS? His seventh solo studio album, the followup to 2016’s Arranging Time and reportedly his most spontaneous album, with most of the songs being written and recorded on the fly in a series of one-day sessions.
WHAT DOES IT SOUND LIKE? Slightly freer, looser and more experimental than some of his catalogue. Perhaps due to the faster working pace, many of these cuts feel rougher around the edges, with noisier textures, inspired arrangements and more adventurous instrumentation/production bolstering his sleepy vocals.
WHAT WOULD BE A BETTER TITLE FOR THIS ALBUM? Not RePeteing Himself.
HOW SHOULD I LISTEN TO IT? With a little more attention than you usually pay to some of his less-memorable outings.
WHAT 10 WORDS DESCRIBE IT? Intriguing, melodic, textured, expansive, tasteful, bittersweet, shimmery, relaxing, immediate, wistful.
WHAT ARE THE BEST SONGS? Opener Calm Down mixes a whistling melody with a catchy chorus and bouncy beat; Can’t Stop You incorporates understated electronics; Idols (We Don’t Ever Have to Say Goodbye) puts the lightly grinding bassline front and centre; ECT features a wall of glimmer.
WHAT WILL MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY SAY? ‘When did Pete Yorn become this interesting?’
HOW OFTEN WILL I LISTEN TO THIS? More often than you’ve listened to his last few albums.
IF THIS ALBUM WERE A SEINFELD EPISODE, WHICH EPISODE WOULD IT BE? The Opposite — the one where George upends his routine and reaps unexpected rewards.
SHOULD I BUY, STREAM OR STEAL IT? If you’re ever going to buy a Pete Yorn album, Caretakers is the one.
