New Music from Graham MacRae

Taking a hand-made approach to everything from his songwriting to the album’s artwork (which he drew himself), MacRae has crafted new album, Dundrearies into a folky, thoughtful, singer- songwriter fare in the vein of Bill Callahan.

The dramas of everyday life are played out in narratively impressionistic songs about fizzled relationships (“Burst Her Bubble”) and the struggles that come with trying to move from one phase of life into another (“Game Changer”). MacRae delivers his thoughts on these and other themes in a plainspoken, tuneful style—tinged at times with country flair, on tracks like “The Papers”. Joined in the studio by David Newton (The Mighty Lemon Drops) and Lee LaDouceur (The Little Ones), MacRae rounds out his original songs’ melodies with gentle rhythms and caps the album on either end with rollicking barroom numbers. The meat of Dundrearies, though, is a downtempo contemplation of loneliness, disappointment, and how to live well.

Building on his 2008 self-titled debut’s introspective musings and acoustic finger-picking, Dundrearies treads similar territory with the addition of electric guitar, keyboards, and more, to create a layered, intimate sound. With his slow and steady approach and personal songwriting, MacRae has made a record in a classic style that’s instantly relatable to people looking for personal connection in an increasingly detached and fragmented world.

RIYL: Bill Callahan, Kurt Vile, John Fahey

Recommended Tracks: track #1 “Daddy Don’t Mind”, track #2 “Game Changer”, track #4 “Wait”, track #9 “This New World”, track #11 “Dirty and Down”

FCC CLEAN

Going for Adds 5/6 & 5/7

Label: A man A plan A canal