Album Review: Kurt Vile - Wakin On A Pretty Daze

Kurt Vile's latest opus offers up a slow burning set of hazy psychedelic pop rock, which sprawls in slow motion to create a drifting spaced-out listening experience that's completely immersive. The feel-good title track finds Vile sounding like a dreamer celebrating one of those good-to-be-alive days with contemplative lyrics that are delivered in a lazy drawl.

Across much of this album Vile sounds like he's at the crossroads, transitioning from the cooler-than-thou sneering angst that featured on previous albums to a more mellow introspective thoughtfulness that tempers attitude with self-deprecating humour, childlike wonder and insightful reflection. Pure Pain and Too Hard suggest Vile understands he is growing older but doing it gracefully; he seems accepting of new responsibilities and is clearly trying to make sense of it all. His distinctive half-mumbled vocals float over glistening, soft out-of-focus textures played on acoustic guitars, which give way to inspired electric guitar solos. Tunes like Snowflakes Are Dancing and Air Bud (you have to wonder if he likes the movie) see Vile adding a little more swirl and atmosphere to the mix with synthesized sounds. The darkly glittering Girl Called Alex finds Vile sliding into “fantasy infinity” nostalgically lost in romantic reverie. It is a highlight that almost matches the brilliance of the album's closing Goldtone, which sets us adrift on a sublime soundscape of slide guitars and Vile's musings on being a musician. It's one of the longer songs on this album but its beguiling beauty makes ten sweet minutes evaporate all too quickly. Already a singer-songwriter to be reckoned with, Vile grows and matures with each release, suggesting that perhaps the best is yet to come.