Seasoned Veteran Strikes Again

The ever-so-busy J Mascis adds yet another accomplishment to the list of accolades that is his incredible career with his fourth solo studio album, What Do We Do Now. Although introspective and melancholic, this record maintains Mascis’s distinct writing style and its charm.

For fans of J’s previous work with projects such as Dinosaur Jr., The Fog, and Heavy Blanket, it isn’t hard to find something familiar to like about this album. Much of J’s style and influence on other albums finds its way to these 10 tracks as well, namely his distinct vocal timbre and his iconic gritty guitar tone, which he utilizes on every track. Otherwise, the tracks tend to have a very rich and earthy feel to them, as Mascis tries to write as much as he can “with just an acoustic guitar, even for the leads,” which he describes on his Bandcamp page. Aside from the many layered guitars, the tracks feature very skillful drumming by Mascis himself, and the secret winner of the album, the piano played by Ken Maiuri. The piano parts shine like a ray of light through the mix when included, namely on tracks like the title track, “What Do We Do Now,” and “I Can’t Find You,” in which the piano’s bass notes darken the sound profile of the whole track.

As an artist, Mascis most likely has to balance many different relationships with a variety of people in his daily life. Looking at the amount of musicians Mascis has worked with in the past, there are so many people who must mean so much to him as an artist and a person. Much of the lyrical content that makes up the album is comprised of reflections on relationships with different people. Often in memories and in dreams, like in the title track “What Do We Do Now.” Mascis tends to reach some vulnerable places with some of these tracks such as “You Don’t Know Me” and “End is Getting Shaky,” both of which exhibit lyrics that are directed at a certain person or group of people. Whether these lyrics are pointed at ex-band mates or ex-lovers, current family or old friends (clearly the case with “Old Friends”). The listening experience becomes so much more meaningful when the artist is speaking candidly. The listener is able to relate, which is what truly enriches a lot of these tracks.