Carefully crafted storytelling

Emily Kinney recently dropped her newest record Swimteam. Best known for playing Beth Greene on AMC’s The Walking Dead, Kinney’s sound is a nice blend of pop and folk. As it is a self-proclaimed breakup album, she explores topics surrounding romantic relationships and the messy, tangled emotions that accompany leaving a partner. The stripped-back approach to this record allows Kinney’s lyricism to take center stage.

The opening track “B or C for Effort” starts off with prominent hums that lead into a catchy bassline and quick drum beat. Kinney’s vocals have a bit of a twang as she sings “we let him out into the world despite / the skills that he lacks / B or C for effort I guess / He kinda sorta maybe tried his best.” There’s the addition of a tambourine in the chorus as hums re-emerge in the background. The inclusion of folksy guitar compliments the energy of her voice while the lyrics are sung faster in the following verses.

“Broken Air Conditioning” has many playful elements that add a nice contrast to the lyrics. The ever-present acoustic guitar and twinkling, xylophone-like sound effects are sweet compared to the words sung. Kinney’s velvety voice sings “I’m a little tired of the measuring stick / If I wasn’t in love, I’d call you kind of a dick.” The next track “It Won’t Last Through the Weekend” begins with huh’s and ha’s that seem to call back to the tongue-in-cheek nature of the previous piece. At the end of the refrain, a faint organ sounds before Kinney projects her voice in the verses. The third track is definitely a song to tap your foot to.

The most popular song off the album “Walkin’ Round Your Dreams” starts with layered synths, which then leads into a deep bassline and pronounced drums. At the end of each verse, the beat accelerates as Kinney hums. This track has a relaxed, dreamlike vibe to it which makes the title even more fitting. “Everything on TV” has a bouncy bass reminiscent of reggae, but then the chorus has a ’90s rock feel with ringing guitars and sizzling cymbals. Incredibly smooth and dynamic, the sixth piece is for sure a standout on the record.

“Avett Brothers” is one of the most vulnerable songs on the tracklist with a story that evokes strong emotions. With a bare-bones score consisting only of guitar and bass, Kinney belts “it’s not been easy sorting your stuff off the shelf / It’s not been easy being kind” and “I got your Avett Brothers t-shirt / Safe and folded in the left side of the drawer.” The overall theme of the album, breakups, comes in at full force in this piece.

Starting with the plucking of a guitar, “Reasons to Stay Alive” possesses many gentle qualities such as brush drumsticks hitting a snare drum and delicate taps of piano notes— the playing of which gets subtly more complex as the song progresses. Kinney’s voice, especially in the verses, is similar to Kacey Musgraves’ silky smooth and endearing voice. The record concludes with “Untitled” that showcases Kinney’s range with pleasant falsettos during the chorus. Guitar and steel guitar are paired between the last chorus and outro, which is a soothing note to end everything off on.

Swimteam is an astonishingly peaceful and touching album that studies the complicated emotions that may arise after breaking off a relationship. Kinney is not afraid to get personal and intimate with her listeners as her lyrical storytelling details the tribulations she has faced.