Little Oblivions

"Little Oblivions" is a cathartic album exploring depression and addiction -- as raw as it is poetic.

Julien Baker’s music is confessional at the core. The self-portrait she paints is frequently unpretty and unflinching: the first line of this album is “Blacked out on a weekday.” Her work can make for uncomfortable listening, but therein lies its power and deep catharsis; her music is psychologically probing and always honest. Beneath it, there seems to be a hope that drive the speaker to keep exploring those dark feelings and keep creating in spite of it all.  Sometimes that hope is messy: “Oh, there’s no glory in love / only the gore of our hearts / so, let it come for my throat / take me and tear me apart.” 

Musically, Little Oblivions could fall within the realms of post-rock emo, with a touch of megachurch-rock-esque reverb and keys. Unlike Baker’s previous albums, this album is a full-band rock sound, and it is full of deep, evocative sonic textures. Fans of alternative rock and emo are likely to find plenty to love in Little Oblivions.