Album Review: Courtney Barnett -- Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit

Think local, act global. Anticipation for Courtney Barnett’s debut long-player has been at fever pitch given the incredible worldwide traction she garnered with her first two EPs, but in the event the Melburnite has well-and-truly stepped up to the plate and delivered.

Despite her initial successes there’s a pervasive self-doubting existential streak throughout, embodied in lyrics like “put me on a pedestal and I’ll only disappoint you” (rocking single, Pedestrian At Best), “I want to disappear into obscurity” (Small Poppies) and “lover I’ve got no idea” (Boxing Day Blues), although everything’s spun positively for the most part to keep it in the fun zone. And despite this inner wrestle Barnett’s muse remains the minutiae of everyday life rather than big events or adventures, so her worldview’s inherently relatable, abetted by that laconic everywoman delivery. Broader issues are touched upon, but whether visiting class divides (Depreston), tongue-in-cheek humour (Aqua Profunda!) or ecological concerns (Kim’s Caravan) she seems to revel most in playing with words and language, and this lack of pretension is palpably endearing.

Naturally, despite this lyrical profundity it wouldn’t all tie together without strong backing and the punchy, catchy music is routinely imperative, more upbeat than slack overall but always serving the song well. Barnett has shrugged off the pressure and stuck to her guns with compelling results – all that sitting and thinking has paid handsome dividends.