It’s only two days into 2024 and the prolific singer songwriter, Ryan Adams, has dropped not one, not two, but five albums! 1985, Heatwave, Star Sign, Sword & Stone, and Prisoners (Live) were only available on vinyl in 2023 and if you follow Ryan on socials, you already know he’s also in the middle of writing a second novel, so yes prolific is a sheer understandment when describing the wordsmith.
Despite being twenty-nine tracks, 1985 only clocks in at thirty-five minutes. For those who only know the crooner side of Ryan, 1985 could be a shock to the system as it is punk rock through and through.
But that’s the versatility of Ryan and his talent. One minute he could be belting out a heartfelt song and the next an in your face song of anger. Despite those attempts to pigeonhole him into a specific sound or genre, Ryan has defied those labels and chains again and again.
Most, if not all of the songs are quick and filled with a sense of frustration and rage. It’s as if Ryan took all the negativity and hate he’s received be it from haters or internalisation of his own mind and channelled it through 1985 as a cathartic cleanse.
The down tempo song, “Down the Drain” is a literal moment of reprieve that clocks in at thirty seconds. Following it is “Bag of Trash” that is the familiar blend of rock that Ryan creates.
As much as I like Ryan’s crooner side, it’s refreshing and fun to hear his angsty side.
1985 is a visceral middle finger of defiance and a welcoming swift kick to the face.
MUST LISTEN TRACKS: “Dark Places”, “Lose Control”, “No Flags”, “Toaster Face”, “What Do You Want Part 2”, “You are the Enemy”, “Lucy”, “How to Belong”, “Broken Pride”, “Bag of Trash”, “What the Fuck”, “Punch’em in the Nuts”, “Stoned Alone”
