J Mascis – ‘What Do We Do Now’ album review: a mellow journey through the mind of a tireless artist
THE SKINNY: There is seemingly no end to the musical hunger of J Mascis. In addition to being at the helm of alternative rock giants Dinosaur Jr and working on other projects such as The Fog, the guitarist is now back at it with his solo work, too, all while continuing to tour the world. With all this going on, it is a wonder that J Mascis ever has a chance to sleep, let alone write and record material.
Returning with his fifth studio solo album, What Do We Do Now, the Dinosaur Jr frontman reaffirms his adaptability and tireless attention to detail. In a similar vein to his previous solo efforts, the music tends to be much more mellow than his work with Dinosaur Jr, focusing more on Mascis’ lyrics and vocal performance than the music itself. Despite that, the sonics are stunning. Although the incredible guitar stylings of the songwriter, which form one of the most endearing parts of his other work, take something of a backseat on this album, the titular track confirms that he has not lost any of his swagger or substance.
An aggressively American effort, What We Do Now often sounds as though it was created to soundtrack a road trip movie. A gentle plod through the country roads of the USA, even the tracklisting reads like the plot of a romantic road film, going from early excitement to conflict to resolution. While this does provide an interesting theme to the album, it is at risk of feeling repetitive at points – although, at the same time, it does not feel like an out-and-out concept album either.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of the album – no disrespect to J Mascis – is the influence of external musicians. The B-52’s keyboardist Ken Mauri, for instance, brings some beautiful influences to the record, which are particularly evident on tracks like ‘I Can’t Find You’. Reportedly brought on board as a result of J’s fear about using the black keys on his keyboard, the influence of Mauri allows audiences to see a different side of both Mauri and Mascis, adding vital shade to this sunny outing.
For fans of: Watching Dumb & Dumber in a onesie on a Sunday and steadfastly ignoring all impending responsibilities.
A concluding comment from Tom’s mother: “Like that film Sideways but without the laughs. Although it is also thankfully without the nebbish pretentiousness, so rather enjoyable in the end.”
What Do We Do Now track by track:
Can’t Believe We’re Here: Incorporating influences of country rock and Americana, the opening track is an endearingly optimistic start to the record. While not a groundbreaking effort, it sets the mellow, self-reflective tone that persists throughout the album. [3/5]
What Do We Do Now: Continuing the same atmosphere of the opening track, ‘What Do We Do Now’ takes on a slightly more melancholic tone, complete with a classic rock-esque guitar solo. The keys of Mauri become present for the first time, a very welcome addition in terms of diversifying the album’s sound. [3/5]
Right Behind You: By this point in the album, you find yourself yearning for something with a bit more impact, and that is not delivered in great excess with this track. Maintaining the gentle Americana feel, the highlight of the song is Mascis’ infallible guitar solo. [2.5/5]
You Don’t Understand Me: Though the mellow nature of the record continues, it somehow feels less tedious by this point, with a certain sense of warmth despite lyrical themes of alienation. The vocal performance is particularly enjoyable on this song as a result of its rising atmosphere and occasional moments of falsetto. [4/5]
I Can’t Find You: Arguably the finest moment of the entire album, ‘I Can’t Find You’ seamlessly blends dark and moody lyrics concerning a breakdown within a relationship with a beautiful instrumental evoking summer evenings. Once again, the keys of Mauri add a sense of incredible pulchritude. [4.5/5]
Old Friends: This song might be the closest Mascis comes to summoning the sounds of Dinosaur Jr on this album, with occasional moments of intensity and a vocal performance which borders upon his more noise-driven work. However, these glimpses of alternative rock simply act as seasoning for the continued euphonious narrative of the album. [3.5/5]
It’s True: Mascis’ vocals feel at their rawest on ‘It’s True’, almost akin to fellow Sub Pop singer Mark Arm of Mudhoney. In contrast to the raw nature of the vocals, the musical backing remains incredibly tight, once again calling upon classic rock influences. [3/5]
Set Me Down: Lyrically, this is arguably the weakest track on the album. As opposed to the emotional weight that carries through many of the tracks on the album, ‘Set Me Down’ feels as though it was created by a rhyming dictionary, and unfortunately, Mascis’ guitar solo does little to elevate the song. [2/5]
Hangin’ Out: The combination of acoustic and electric tones on this track, present more so than elsewhere on the album, gives ‘Hangin’ Out’ an interesting sonic quality. While, by this point, the Americana and classic rock-inspired sound has begun to feel somewhat repetitive, when viewed in isolation, this is a pretty good effort. [3.5/5]
End Is Gettin’ Shaky: A grand end to J Mascis’ fifth solo record, this song encapsulates the emotional journey of What Do We Do Now within its sub-five-minute runtime. A definite stand-out, the closing track affirms Mascis’ incredible songwriting and technical abilities. [4/5]
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