Aquatic Flowers

Since debuting in the late 2000s, Nashvilles Tristen Gaspaderek has continuously sharpened her pop instincts, creating a succession of smartly written albums that have netted her a small but devoted fanbase and heaps of critical acclaim. After the left turn of 2013s pleasingly slick synth-driven Caves, she settled rather comfortably into punchy guitar pop mode and remains there on her excellent fifth album, Aquatic Flowers. Tristens talent for blending trenchant wit with a sense of vulnerability gives songs like Complex and Wrong with You a sense of poignancy. On the beguiling Story of Love, she proves she can also write quite earnestly without coming across as cloying. In terms of construction, her songs are full of shape-shifting intervals and unexpected changes, yet anchored by strong melodic backbones that keep them on track. Recorded with husband and creative partner Buddy Hughen at their home studio Tight Squeeze, the albums production rings with indie rock grit, occasional pools of torchy reverb, and an attention to detail that belies its homespun feel. Beyond its presentation and aesthetic, Aquatic Flowers is at its core another wonderfully written collection from one of Americas more underrated songwriters. ~ Timothy Monger