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Jun 08, 2018 Web Exclusive By Marty Hill

Snail Mail’s Lindsey Jordan is victim of the music press’s fixation with hyperbole. Touted as a “One to Watch” in the culture section of every newspaper you can think of, and quickly being established as the go-to representative of 2018 indie in music mags that are more familiar with her career thus far, you’d be forgiven for being overwhelmed by the hype machine before you’ve given her debut LP Lush a fair shot. It’s worth turning a blind eye to all of that though, because this is as good of a indie rock debut as you’re likely to hear this year.

The heady and patient brand of indie rock that Lush is built upon will undoubtedly perk the ears of fans of Soccer Mommy and Japanese Breakfast-but you get the sense that Jordan’s astounding songwriting ability is what truly makes Snail Mail fans, and it’s at its very best here. Despite still not having celebrated her 20th birthday, Jordan writes with a maturity and a self-awareness that helps her steer clear of teen romance cliches. “It took so long to know someone like you,” Jordan deadpans on penultimate cut “Deep Sea”-a line put across with the kind of nonchalance that says more than any charged delivery ever could. Elsewhere, single “Pristine” and “Speaking Terms” standout. “Leave things on speaking terms/and I’ll see you around” cries Jordan on the latter, evoking an explosion of defiant guitar wizardry.

You’d be hard pressed to deny that, when all’s said and done, Lush doesn’t prove that-for once-the indie press have picked their “next big thing” wisely, or at least gotten lucky. Snail Mail’s debut is a record steeped in songwriting brilliance and earworm guitar jams. Getting to it with a clear head might be a struggle, but hitting repeat is inevitable once you do. (www.snailmail.band)

Author rating: 8/10