Beneath his dirty and bayou-esque (although incredibly sexy, if I do say so myself) persona, Mac DeMarco is the archetypal musician. He plays music because he loves to—not because he cares about the fame. Despite the inherent challenges that come with eschewing the suffocating music industry, DeMarco has managed to put out some good work over the years, and his most recent release, Salad Days, is no exception.
I admit I’ve had a bit of an obsession with DeMarco’s work for a while now. I instantly fell in love with his second album 2 the moment it debuted. I was eager to listen to Salad Days, because I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. Would DeMarco continue to utilize his characteristically twanging guitar riffs or those jazzy undertones that evoke a sense of Lou Reed’s Transformer? Based off of the the way the album was promoted, it was difficult to tell.
In this new album, DeMarco successfully incorporates several intriguing synthesizer rhythms into his existing aesthetic in a way that isn’t played out or overdone. Instead, the album comes together in a way that is both tasteful and absolutely infatuating.
Songs like “Treat Her Better,” and “Blue Boy” are lyrically simple, but still entrancing and enjoyable. DeMarco’s voice is captivating and even more developed than it was in previous works. While there are several songs on this album that are predictable in the sense that they don’t deviate much from 2, there is also a range of songs that do offer something very new and cool.
The leading single from the album, “Passing Out Pieces,” is one song that’s difficult to stop listening to. In this oddly mysterious synth-heavy track, DeMarco seems to express his dismay with the restrictive music industry. In his lyrics, he criticizes the idea that artists have to succumb to label pressure in order to get anywhere. It’s precisely this attitude, expressed through his music, which makes DeMarco so appealing.
Salad Days certainly highlights DeMarco’s range—the intricacy of songs like “Chamber of Reflection,” are contrasted with the simple “Let My Baby Stay.” Audiences will appreciate his dedication to a type of sound that is—and will always be—his own. His authentic connection with the audience is not lost.
DeMarco is truly the type of artist that doesn’t sell out, and yet, he’s got all of us, especially me, buying.
Voice’s Choices: “Treat Her Better,” “Passing Out Pieces”
