Self-Help “ When You Wear My Clothes” Review
Queens-based but North Carolina natives, the five-piece band Self-Help have come forth with their third album this Friday, Dec. 9, cementing their style but experimenting beyond their typical soundscape.
Full of jangly guitar rhythms, lo-fi synths, surfy leads, and ever-evolving basslines, When You Wear My Clothes is a sonic representation of a cozy autumn night, making the album a homely and comfortable listen. Helmed by frontman John Stych, the album was mostly recorded at his home in Ridgewood, with most of the instrumentation being done by him while the low-end was covered by bassist David Murray. Other credits for certain tracks on the record are given to Daniel Combs, Frank Hartman, Tyler and Dominic Mancini, Dr. Science Robovine and Austin Brose for providing synth, keys, guitar, horns, auxiliary percussion and arrangement. Sitting at 21 minutes and 11 songs, the album has just the right amount of tracks for the time given, being aware of the listener at every moment.
The wholesome and loving lyrics combined with eclectic instrumentation, backed by familiar-feeling acoustic guitars allow for the group to show off their unique quality. With the ultra-psychedelic cover done by graphic artist Austin Joseph Gregory, the band tells listeners to keep their minds open and their expectations broad, not nailing themselves down to one specific sound. Captioned at the bottom, “an album for your digital health, by self-help,” the group shows that they are there for the listener first and foremost and that their music has nothing but benign intentions, which is certainly heard through the project. Being their first big release after the pandemic, this idea of digital health is more important than ever, and Self-Help’s prescient and self-aware nature feels very genuine.
Opening with the track “On the Couch,” the listener is thrown into a lush environment of synths at a blinding pace, being reassured by Stych that they’ll make it through this. Before comfort sets in, the song serves as an introduction to the second track “OKC.” Not straying too far from their sound yet still incorporating new elements, the five-piece quickly establishes their hazy and loose style, with guitarist Tyler Mancini lending some catchy leads to the chorus.
By including horns and strings on this track, Self-Help makes it clear that they are no typical rock band. Treading the lines between lo-fi, dream pop, indie rock and surfy blues, it’s hard to nail the group down to just one genre, showing their versatility and originality.
The spacey yet focused instrumental track “Bowser’s Remorse” follows this up, serving as a form of interlude into the fourth song on the album “Kate Don’t Leave Me.” This tune is the most reminiscent of the group’s original sound, maintaining that head-bopping rhythm and intertwining walking basslines with surfy, slapback-delayed lead riffs. Murray and Mancini shine through brightly on this track, as their fast fretting really lets the feeling of the song become stronger than ever when Stych’s vocals drop out. The lyricism is beautiful here too, as Stych tells a story of a relationship full of love, yet constantly fears losing it, creating a relatable and just downright catchy song.
Sometimes it feels like a cartoon listening to this album, as some songs like the following track “Flavorblast” are layered with many vocal tracks, mixing among the little piano licks and guitar leads. Ushered along by the driving beat of the drums, once the track coasts down to its’ half-time ending, the listener is thrusted directly into the next song, “Lovefool.” Beginning with a sample of a Mario coin grab and the loving words, “You and me, it’s meant to be,” one is instantly transported to a feeling of nostalgia and wholesomeness. Like a rainy day inside at home, bundled on the couch, all warm and cozy, “comfortable” is the best way to describe this album.
Following this vibe up, the seventh track “Heater” is just that and more. Stych croons over a groovy, almost drunk feeling rhythm, “I love to talk with you, I love everything you do,” and it just warms the heart. The andante tempo just walks along, assisted by Murray’s basslines and Stych’s bluesy accents on guitar, making for another song that just feels like a stroll in the park. The inclusion of windchimes in the background encapsulates this feeling and creates an environment the listener can get lost in, showing their masterful control over their sound. Followed by another interlude-like song, “Dirty Sheets,” Murray’s bass tone cuts right through to set the melody while synths fill out the rest of the space. Vintage-styled video game samples are interspersed throughout, evoking even more nostalgia, and harkening back to that feeling of just hanging out at home.
The next track, “Mountain Dew,” fades in with a sample with people debating drinking the sugary substance instead of water, setting the scene of absurdity as the dissonant synth and guitar riffs build to give way to Stych’s vocals. As the rhythm holds it down tightly for the verses, they return to that dissonance, creating a ton of tension that finally gives way to the final synth melody, coasting right into the penultimate title track. “When You Wear My Clothes” is a proclamation within a song, as the repeated synth melody serves as the background for Stych to make the statement that his clothes smell better after “you” wear them. Whether that “you” is Kate or someone else, it’s clear that he feels a great love for them.
Once this track fades out once again to that synth-sample combo, the final track “Confused” arrives. Probably the melancholiest track on the album, it offers another perspective besides unabashed love from the band as they wind down, lamenting their lack of clarity in their emotions.
With the tremolo-filled guitar lead commanding the feeling of this track as the rhythm follows along, this track serves as a wonderful closer where the listener feels as one does at the end of a great movie – a little empty and bittersweet, because it’s just sad that the ride is over.
When You Wear My Clothes by Self-Help is a downright good album. The five-piece has taken everything from their past projects, refined them, and incorporated new timbres to round out their sound and evolve into this third record. The project never overstays it’s welcome, knowing when less is more, allowing the songs to speak for themselves. Whether it’s an instrumental track like “Bowser’s Remorse,” a foot-tapping hit like “Kate Don’t Leave Me,” or a fun, smiling tune like “Heater,” Self-Help’s unashamed self-awareness and honesty are made clear, making it a truly fun listen. The tones on this record are extremely cohesive, as the full, deep, rubber-like bass melds with the rockabilly-influenced twangy leads. Complete with soft-keyed, warm synths and piano, gentle vocals and folksy percussion and a few stabs of samples, the album crafts a mood that not just any band can capture. Self-Help is here for your health, but you don’t need a prescription, just go over the counter and listen in!
LISTEN HERE