Current Joys discovers a new way to connect in “A Different Age”

This review is from our friends over at 88.3 WXOU Radio. See the whole review here.

As first hinted in his 2017 Split EP single “Dogfight,” Nick Rattigan has discovered a new way to emotionally convey himself to audiences. This method has consisted of matching concise glistening guitar notes with deep tones, complemented by vocals that invoke an image of painstaking delivery.

“Become the Warm Jets” sets the tone and flow of the record. Its steady drum and percussion beat is followed by a deep-toned guitar that carefully slides on down, his guitar a musical banister, allowing the listener to let go and float away.

“Fear” struts in with a looping melody. Demanding listeners’ attention with an insistent drum beat that falls underneath sparkling dead guitars. On an album of restrained, ruminating arrangements, “Fear” sticks out as a mid-tempo number.

Lyrics like these have been used plenty of times over across genres. Rattigan, however, gets listeners to believe him as his wails increase. Rattigan is taking simple, candid, bare phrases and delivering them with an honesty and emotion, which soon after it grabs hold of you, won’t let go.

The synth is effectually timed, fitting strongly with its accompanying music video that shows the camera panning around the room to Rattigan’s friends and loved ones. Listening to the song has this effect too. You feel yourself circling as the synth line wanders about.

“Alabama” picks up the synth where it left off, and deceptively teases itself as an uplifting song. Until Rattigan begins singing. Employing his steady guitar style over the synth. It should not be a mystery why Rattigan titled this song “Alabama.” There is a soothing country vibe to it.

“Way Out Here” takes Rattigan’s vocals and thins them out even further, working well with his high-pitched delivery. Simple, but concentrated guitar notes are used in this song as well. This is a theme that persists throughout the record. This minimalist approach does work towards driving home the overriding emotions found throughout the record. Like other artists, take Lana Del Rey for example, Rattigan is very much focusing on a singular approach with this album.

“No Words” is true to its title. There are no words on the track. I was a tad humored by this at first, along with the accompanying music video that shows us a pale, makeup layered woman on her bed. She does not move—yes, not at all—throughout the entire video. I’m not sure if she even blinks.

“In a year of 13 moons” crowning jewel is unveiled when Rattigan exhales, “Now you’re so far, away.” His falsetto perfectly harmonizes with the keyboard.

“A Different Age” is the most confrontational Rattigan gets on the record. He directly addresses what makes him different from most songwriters. One could critique this phrase as pretentious, yet another angle that can be taken is that Rattigan is finally standing up for himself, on a record full of him lamenting who he is as a person. It’s rather inspiring.

I’ve been trying to figure out what makes Rattigan’s music so appealing in the never-ending sea of indie music. One conclusion is his music has soul, a rare quality in songwriters. His ability to write passionately in his lyrics, then perform it with that same passion is incredibly moving.

A full version of this review can be found on wxou.org.