There is no way The Okay Win can be described as anything but earnest. The clarity and sincerity of Stephen MacDonald’s voice comes through from the opening track. Not to say that this man is the next John Darnielle, though sincere, its real intimacy comes from the fact that MacDonald doesn’t really sing as much as whisper secrets in your ear. There are definitely a few notes that seem off-key or out of place, but they only serve to facilitate this sense of overwhelming emotional immediacy. Buzz Armstrong sets the earnest dreamscape pace. Still Fall is bittersweet with a beautiful melody that falls like raindrops on a windshield. The guitar work is tight and almost sounds harp-like in parts. One To Have is another stand out on this album of gems. This song is a little poppier and more upbeat, with hand clapping and an almost oriental sounding choral riff. It sounds like laying in the park on a gently sunny spring day. Overall, this was a dreamy album that feels like the harder parts of adolescence, in a good way.
Common Nature, released yesterday, is available via The Okay Win’s bandcamp. The release party is this Sunday, 4/24, at the Middle East Upstairs. Young Minds, Roman Numeral Three, and Lion Club are also playing.
–Chris Saenz