An Inbuilt Fault - Westerman (2023)

Ideated from: some recent releases I’ve been spinning

I won’t be surprised if this ends up as my record of the year. There are a lot of similarities to stuff I already really like: gorgeous vocals similar to Shearwater or Dirty Projectors, a jazzy, whimsical approach to melody ala Steely Dan, the deceptively intricate rhythms you might hear from The Police. But all the comparison doesn’t really do it justice.

Will Westerman has an imagination for melody and form that is really stunningly original. Co-produced with and featuring Big Thief drummer James Krivchenia, this record matches Westerman’s wit and vocal talent with an outstanding bunch of support musicians.

Tracks I Liked

Idol; Re-run - this track is absolutely fantastic in every way. Gorgeous melancholy that also features the most gorgeous harmonizing of the word “motherfucker” you will ever hear.

I, Catallus - compelling lyric on facing down death (at least that’s my reading)

A Lens Turning - modern life is rubbish, but it’s okay?

Pilot Was A Dancer - Finding your way back from being lost in the echo chamber of your own head