Melancholic folk reflections

Texas-born Shakey Graves released his fifth studio album, Fondness Etc., which mixes folk, blues and country to create a calming project that explores the complicated feelings of love and heartbreak.

The opener of the album, “Don’t Change a Thing,” begins with Graves’ soft vocals as he lets the instrumental do the heavy lifting, leaving the listener in a numb, tranquil state. Despite the low vocals, the lyrics still shine as the singer details accepting oneself and being content with the present rather than constantly searching for something more.

In a melodic sense, the second track follows a similar path, with classic country instrumentation breaking through Graves’ soft vocals. The piano, guitar and drums work together to create a steady, soothing harmony. The instrumentation offers audiences traces of old folk with a tinge of blues. Unlike the melody however, this song carries a different message about love. The track details the highs and lows of romance and how, when love is good, it feels everlasting. Once the relationship begins to fade though, the truth reveals itself as the adoration that once felt permanent slowly turns sour and eventually collapses.

The third installment continues the story of the previous track, with the singer reflecting on how quickly time passes while in love. The relationship fades almost without warning, leaving time to feel painfully slow once the singer is alone again.

The following song, “Suddenly,” differs from the rest of the album with Graves showcasing his ability to tell a story through instrumentation rather than lyrics alone. Graves skillfully crafts the track around his guitar and drums, creating a more upbeat tune that stands apart from the project’s softer moments. Although it is not the final instrumental piece on the album, “I Was Once A Wave” also leans heavily on atmosphere, offering audiences a steady backing track that embodies the feeling of being lost at sea.

Following “Suddenly” are “Away It Goes” and “The Boilmaker,” two songs that hold different meanings but continue documenting the singer’s emotional descent after losing his lover. The tracks portray someone drowning their sorrows in alcohol while time slowly passes by.

The album slowly closes with the final two songs in the nine-track project, “On My Own” and “No Place to Be.” Melodically, both songs end the album similarly to how it began, with slow, steady guitar playing and whisper-like vocals. Lyrically however, the meaning has shifted considerably. The closing track, “No Place to Be,” shows Graves finally accepting his loneliness as he describes standing alone atop a mountain that was still worth climbing. The imagery serves as a metaphor for his emotional journey through love and heartbreak.

Once Graves’ uncharacteristically short album reaches its end, audiences are left wanting more despite the emotional roller coaster explored throughout the project. Although his storytelling and musical talent could have been explored even further, the final product remains a moving record that many listeners may connect with at some point in their lives. Even for those unfamiliar with heartbreak, Fondness Etc. still functions as a melancholic and immersive listening experience.