Music review: Pete Yorn – 鈥楥aretakers鈥�
鈥淎ll is well in your world now/People dreaming through the daylight/All the melodies come back/I wish I knew then what I know now,鈥� serenely sings Pete Yorn on the opening track of his new album. 鈥淐alm Down鈥� is a soothing introduction to the 11 tracks that follow with an understated reminder to take a step back every once in a while to catch your breath and enjoy living in the moment.
As with most Yorn albums, the pace follows a carefree cadence that is dreamy and therapeutic in its floating, methodical delivery.
Even when Yorn sings about a dismayed friend on 鈥淐an鈥檛 Stop You,鈥� he manages to do so in a reassuring manner that leads everyone to believe that everything will turn out for the best by releasing the worrisome things that can鈥檛 be controlled.
Yorn鈥檚 first solo release since 2016, 鈥淐aretakers鈥� spotlights the singer-songwriter鈥檚 knack for crafting intimate melodies that possess a nostalgic tone and feel as comforting as an old friend from a time when things were less complicated and motives weren鈥檛 disguised.
The New Jersey native recruited Jackson Phillips of Day Wave to co-produce and add to the throwback stylings of the messages being disseminated.
Things come full circle with the closer 鈥淭ry鈥� offering up supportive words of encouragement about refusing to give in when the world has beat you up and let you down. Just like with the opening track, Yorn seeks to provide some solace during darker times without raising his lush voice above a slight whisper.
With 鈥淐aretakers,鈥� Yorn stays true to the days of his debut release 鈥淢usicforthemorningafter.鈥� Fueled by absorbing numbers like 鈥淟ife on a Chain鈥� and 鈥淪trange Condition,鈥� Yorn鈥檚 2001 effort is a classic that instantly turned me into a devoted fan.
After several solo releases and curious collaborations over the last 18 years, Yorn鈥檚 warmth and charm are still attentively stitched throughout the enchanting stories he tells.
鈥淐aretakers鈥� is an album that one can easily become lost in.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.