By Jack Rafferty
Ever since I first heard “Johnny Dear” on Western AF, I was entranced by Kassi Valazza. I loved Kassi’s debut album, and I was curious where she and her band would take their sound from there. Starting from track one of Knows Nothing, I knew I was in for some amazing lyrics:
In the still, I often wonder about your brеathin’
I rise and fall to its rhythm late at night
Clay canyons turn to plaster in my grievin’
And our ceiling overtakes the sky.
In addition to the lyrics, I also notice that there has been a sense of settling into a more comfortable space in terms of sound and identity. There are many great things to be said about the debut record, but I do think it can be a bit sporadic at times in regard to what they want to be going forward. It seems, with Knows Nothing, that they have taken steps in the direction they have chosen, and the project feels more cohesive as a result. There is also a more honed, mature feeling to the songwriting, which is not to say that it didn’t have that before, merely that a greater sense of it is achieved here.
However, while I do really like a lot of the writing showcased on this album, I do think certain levels of obscurity and abstractness has unfortunately been maintained here, which is a tendency I didn’t love on their debut. I think Kassi’s writing is strongest when it is clear, grounded, and intimate, with lyrics such as,
Morning hasn’t broken since I told you
I could use some time to make it right
Now you’re just a whisper, just a notion
Just a story I can read at night
The clouds move slower than they ever seemed to
Still, they find a way to pass me by.
Thankfully, I do think that this is mostly the case this time around, and there has been a demonstrable sense of progression here. Overall, Kassi has come more into her own style here, and this album has many wonderful moments.
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