Yorn’s most spontaneous solo work out to date

Singer, songwriter and musician Pete Yorn has released his first solo album in three years, Caretakers. The 45-year-old is releasing the 12-track album through label Shelly Music with help from producer Jackson Phillips. Throughout his career, Yorn has found himself working with the likes of Iggy Pop, R.E.M and most recently Scarlett Johansson for the second time on their EP Apart released last year. Aside from his personal discography, Yorn’s music has made its way onto the big screen in Me, Myself and Irene and Bandits. Yorn’s collaborations and musical breakthroughs have led him to this moment. In an interview with Consequence Of Sound, Yorn explains that Caretakers and its tracks, “are designed to grow with you.” He continues on to say, “They’re all anchored in particular moments, but they blast off from there, so what they mean to you on any given day might evolve.”

Known for playing the majority of his instruments on his recordings, Caretakers is no different. The album was created in a free-willing, single day start-to-finish mini sessions, allowing Yorn to put every ounce of himself into each individual song respectively. “Calm Down” starts the album off on a very classic alternative rock road trip. A recipe filled with electric guitar, drums, a little bass and layered vocals all make a delicious ode to the 90s indie rock scene. “Can’t Stop You” continues the retro theme that runs through each track on the album. With lyrics like, “Can’t stop you from hurting yourself/ it’s not you who’s driving us all away/ can’t stop you from losing it all,” Yorn paints a picture of a loved one losing their grip on the reality around them and the dangers of addiction.

“Do You Want to Love Again” marries an early Matchbox Twenty sound and a new age Yorn who is creating music for listeners of all ages. Life, love and loss are commonly used themes in music and with an easy foot-tapping rhythm and lyrics that can be memorized overnight, Yorn has created a song that won’t soon be forgotten. Tracks like “ECT” and “POV” both stand out as heartfelt ballads that can easily make their way onto an everyday replay list of songs. The album ends with “Try Me,” a track that lifts the spirits while leaving the listener with a lot to think about. Caretakers is bursting with life lessons and themes of everyday problems while creating a haze of happy-go-lucky rhythms that leave the listener feeling fulfilled.