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Tag: Album Review

  • The Catalyst by Abigail Austin

    The Catalyst by Abigail Austin

    Artist: Abigail Austin

    Album: The Catalyst 

    Released: October 10, 2025; Say-10 Records

    “The Catalyst” marks a change in career trajectory for Abigail Austin. Her former work focused more on the folk genre, while this album, as you will soon see, is something very different. This album was my introduction to Abigail so, I am not going to bother comparing and contrasting her old stuff versus the new, but I will say that she clearly is a seasoned musician and it shows. 

    Before we get into the meat of this review, I wanted to say something about the naming conventions used for songs on this album. They are all clever, witty, and a little punny at times. To a certain extent, they remind me of Mid 2000’s emo song names, while not being as absurd as some of the more notable examples of that era. I enjoy them immensely. I am really only bringing this up to prepare y’all for the name drop of my favorite song. It is everything I mentioned above as well as being unnecessarily horny— “The Shape of the Country to Cum”  This song was an instant sell to me on the whole album. It’s got a power in its music and vocal performance that is reminiscent of a really good Cher ballade. Lyrically I think it would be fair to read this as some type of road song. However, I believe that the road is a metaphor for finding yourself and leaving the old you behind. There is something incredibly empowering in that thought and how it is conveyed by the song.  

    “Ultimate Frisbee on astroTeRF” is the type of love song that gets written at the resolution of a relationship that doesn’t end so well. It’s self reflective about what makes a good relationship and how that failed one ultimately didn’t provide that. It’s honestly just a really solid song. I love the beat, the hook, and the message. 

    Last, “Red Flag Forestry Service” is a dark and gloomy look at the state of the United States and how it has historically failed to live up to the promises presented by the myths of the country. I also believe it spends a little bit of time making reference to how American society tends to place blame for it’s systemic failings on those who it most disenfranchises. Blaming the poor for being poor, etc… The line ‘why would the world of man teach a worm to stand’ to me is about how those disenfranchised individuals then begin to internalize all that propaganda and in short begin to except the unwarranted blame that is force upon them. As a whole, it is a pretty apt look at America and it is delivered in a sorrowful respect that I think the topic deserves. 

    Abigail Austin’s, “The Catalyst” delivers everything I love about 80s pop rock divas like Cher and Bonnie Tyler, but reimagines it in a modern synth wave packaging that is unique and up lifting.  This is a much welcomed evolution in Abigail’s career path. I hope she stays the course moving forward. I would love to see more music in this vain from her and that is coming from someone who loves folk music so, you know this is seriously good stuff. 

    If you like the album I reviewed here and want to support the artist as well as this blog please consider picking up the album via this affiliate link—> Purchase The Catalyst by Abigail Austin digitally via Amazon Music

  • Healthy Life by Merry Malady

    Healthy Life by Merry Malady

    Artist: Merry Malady

    Album: Healthy Life 

    Released: January 25, 2025; Self Released

    Merry Malady is a punk band with, dare I say, a hint of ska thrown in as a little snack, hailing from Long Island, New York. Their first release, Healthy Life, is a unique mix of horn infused punk rock. It was released back in January so, as usual, I am a little late to the party. If you’re like me, then sit back cause you are in for a treat.

    This album starts out strong with “Low Hanging Devil Fruit” which features some of the best horns I have heard in a while. I specifically can’t get enough of the Baritone Saxophone and will gush about it all day if given a chance. The song starts with the words ‘Everybody in this room is going to die’ and is about the resolute decision to be a positive force in a nihilistic world. The lyrics are grim at times, but the horn arrangement and guitar work together to convey an assured power. This makes the song feel like a battle anthem. I get incredibly pumped listening to it. 

    I am going to cut to the chase on “Shavasana”, it is my favorite song on the album. It explores the end of a relationship where you realize that you truly don’t know the other person and perhaps never really did. I also take the song is named after a yoga pose that is typically done at the end of a session as a way to decompress and relax. If you are unfamiliar with it, do yourself a favor and look it up. I think it does a great job evoking the feeling that I get from the song. The dual vocals at the end of the song is the cherry on top of this metaphorical cake filled with a palatable longing and loss. They are my favorite part of the song hands down.

    So, as to remain on brand for myself, I am going to mention the two songs on the album that got that ska influence in them. The first is “Two Step Verification”, it is really good. However, the best of the two is “The Worst Ever Ska Punk Act On Long Island”. As a fan of self deprecating humor, I enjoyed the name of the song on that assumption. However, after really analyzing the song I can’t really say that humor was the end goal. The song deals with questioning your self worth and wondering if you deserve happiness and love. The lyrics are rather bleak but the up beat guitar and horns make it go down easier. I think the take away from this song, or at least for any compassionate person, is that everyone deserves happiness and love especially those that feel the most broken. So take a moment to let the people in your life know you love them, cause you can’t really take for granted that they know or feel that. 

    Merry Malady is fantastic punk band that I think everyone needs to check out. Their first album “Healthy Life” deals with heavy subject matter but does so in a way that is digestible and thought provoking. If this is what they are spinning on their first offering, I can only imagine that it is nothing but up from here. I am looking forward to more from them in the future.