Lit. Major, the musical endeavour of Connecticut-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Remy Josef, delivers a searingly honest and emotionally potent record with I’m Glad This Has Been So Easy For You (August 16). Following his self-titled 2022 release, Lit. Major’s latest work represents a significant artistic maturation, offering his most focused and profound album to date.
From the outset, I’m Glad This Has Been So Easy For You announces itself as an exploration of friendship’s fragility and the heartache of being abandoned without explanation. Lit. Major’s intricate lyricism and raw vulnerability take centre stage as he dissects the collapse of a significant relationship with an unflinching gaze.
The album opens with the fizzing, bedroom pop tune “Fit Me Fine,” which sets a reflective tone. Lit. Major contemplates the compatibility of the lost friendship, acknowledging that despite its initial promise, it might not have been sufficient to endure. This sets the thematic stage for the record, which navigates through layers of bitterness, sarcasm, and mournful introspection.
Early standout “Bitter Pill” captures the album’s core sentiment with its acerbic edge. With its acoustic and electric guitars, layered vocals, and punchy percussion, the track features Lit. Major‘s characteristic blend of Americana-influenced musicality. The song’s biting lyrics are a cathartic response to the friend who inspired the album and the sardonic bridge delivers the album’s title with a sting, capturing the bitter acceptance of a one-sided departure.
On “Friend/Lover,” Lit. Major’s lyrics are sharp and incisive, reflecting his frustration with the dissolution of the friendship. The song’s blend of guitars enriches its emotional weight, while the lyrics cut to the quick with their bluntness. Another notable track, “We are Gone”, is a rich tapestry of layered guitars and beats, capturing the disorienting end of a relationship with poignant precision. The refrain starkly highlights the lingering echoes of what once was.
“Won’t” brings a misleading peppiness to the album’s middle, juxtaposing its bright surface with a lament over lost potential and the fleeting nature of forever. Meanwhile, “For the Best” plays with temporal shifts in its exploration of whether the separation was ultimately beneficial. The closing track, “When it Ends, I Won’t Be There,” serves as a resolute declaration of moving on, closing the album on a note of defiant acceptance.
Perhaps the album’s most heart-wrenching moment is “The Muse.” With contributions from violinist Ciara Picard and slide guitarist Luke Janke, the track stands out for its raw, personal address to the old friend. Lit. Major’s delivery is both tender and anguished as he reflects on the pain of unrequited emotional investment, making it clear that a platonic breakup can be as devastating as a romantic one.
The record’s duality is further explored in the paired tracks “Me & Your Ghost” and “You & Your Ghost.” The former, characterised by its melancholy and longing, contrasts with the latter’s lo-fi, upbeat demeanour. This juxtaposition not only provides a dynamic listening experience but also deepens the album’s thematic exploration of ghosting and abandonment.
Lit. Major proves his prowess not only as a songwriter and performer but as a storyteller who can articulate the nuanced pain of lost connections. I’m Glad This Has Been So Easy For You is a masterful leap forward for Lit. Major. Lit. Major’s ability to merge emotional depth with musical complexity is evident throughout the album. His voice, both haunting and resolute, guides the listener through a landscape of heartache, acceptance, and self-reflection. The album is not only a collection of songs but a deeply personal narrative, crafted with care and artistry.
