But at no point throughout the whole outing does he lose out on poignancy because of his emphasis on simplicity. It’s been done over and over and cliche is waiting just around the corner. Writing breakup ballads and sprightly songs about romance is actually a pretty risky move. The others are lilting, keyboard-centric ballads teetering on the edge of heartbreak. “The Way You’d Love Her” opens the record as a simple love song with a bouncy guitar solo and the same template is used for about half the other tracks. Not to mention he’s just so damned good at what he does. Demarco may not be a constant innovator, but hardly anyone is, and his ability to repeat with originality is commendable. He’s still a young artist though, and the sound is so true to himself that it’s hard to complain. The dreamy guitars and lullaby melodies are the same here as they have been since day one. Namely, he’s got a very identifiable sound which he doesn’t seem to have any desire to change up. The one concern anyone is more than justified in having with this new effort is the same that’s existed since he followed up Rock and Roll Night Club with 2. In other words, he’s a 2015 human whose music grasps for something beyond the irony of our age.
He’s a self-aware jokester in interviews and a sincere songbird whenever he’s playing a guitar. Central to his success is the contrast between his personality and the music he creates. He really hasn’t released a bad record, and the new mini-LP, Another One, is another solid entry into an esteemed and well-loved catalog. The Mac Demarcult seems to just grow and grow each year-and for good reason.