J Mascis is a name that’ll be familiar to any fans of grunge or effects heavy guitar music in general. His band Dinosaur Jr., loved for their volume and intense guitars as much as for the intense drama that created some of the band’s greatest tracks but also caused their untimely downfall. Mascis is known for his walls of amplifiers and it seems weird to imagine him without the backup of that wall of noise.

In many ways ‘Tied To A Star’ is exactly what one would expect of Mascis for a solo album. There are the fuzzy electric guitar freakouts, and his slightly fragile, strained and scratched but sweet voice. Acoustic guitars are also present and accounted for, and as the deceptively reflective ‘Trailing Off’ has guitar solos as almost as a chorus in themselves between dreamy blissed out guitar. Lead track ‘Every Morning’, is one of the most upbeat, pop-sensible songs he’s ever done, with tambourine and rhythm of an overexcitable busker. There’s also nods to his past, with the noise floor in the background of ‘Stumble’ sounding like a Dino Jr. track that’s just waiting to break its chains, while a slightly more broken and tired sounding Mascis sings “don’t expect me to know, don’t just put on a show” to an estranged partner. It sounds close to the bone, and is altogether melancholy, and moments like this give chills for the empathy inherent.

If Mascis is growing older and reflecting though, it’ll be on his terms. the overtly clashing guitars and sweeter folk sounds complement each other, even if they do jar occasionally. This is one that will be good listening to anyone interested in what comes now for rockers once they’ve done the reunion. This album may not be the best thing you could pick up as a primer, but if you have a love of more folk based guitar sounds, and finger-picked guitars, you cannot go far wrong.

4/5

‘Tied to a Star’ is released on 25th August on Sub Pop.

J Macis links:Facebook|Twitter|Official Website

words by Heather Robertson (@thecuriosity)