Mary In The Junkyard's debut album, 'Role Model Hermit', is a captivating blend of atmospheric rock and intricate arrangements, offering a unique listening experience. The London trio's sound, dubbed 'weepy chaos rok', is a refreshing departure from conventional genres, drawing from math-laden contemporaries and classical stylings. This album marks a significant moment for the band, following a busy couple of years that included a tour with Wet Leg and a feature in NME's cover story.
The album opens with a self-reflexive tone, as Freeman-Taylor's poetic lyrics and Clari Freeman-Taylor's vocal prowess take center stage. 'Mantra III' sets the tone with a grounded grit, and the grooves of 'Blood' and 'Seek And Destroy' showcase the band's ability to craft punchy, skewed love narratives. Freeman-Taylor's versatility shines as she effortlessly transitions from hushed confessionals to howling rasps, creating an engaging dynamic throughout the record.
However, the album's structure and assurance in the first half can feel somewhat contained, with tracks like 'Peter The Dog' and 'Myrtle' lacking the full expression of the band's natural charisma. It's only on 'Crash Landing' that the record finds its turning point, with Freeman-Taylor channeling Sue Tompkins and the addition of Saya Barbaglia's viola adding a layer of complexity and emotion.
The latter half of the album is a shared pact for dreaming, with structures that build and wind, allowing the trio's singular charisma to shine through. The theatrics culminate on the closer 'Mouse', an oceanic tale inspired by Iceland's frigid grandeur, with Freeman-Taylor's longing notes colliding against glacial walls of sound. The album concludes with 'Candelabra', a starkly honest track written years before the band's big moment, reminding us of the magic found in the details, grand or granular.
In my opinion, 'Role Model Hermit' is a testament to Mary In The Junkyard's artistic growth and their ability to craft a unique, captivating sound. The album's blend of grit and grandeur, coupled with Freeman-Taylor's poetic lyrics and vocal prowess, makes it a standout in the atmospheric rock genre. As the band continues to evolve, I'm eager to see where their next adventure takes them.
