_{By Zach Collier}

The very first notes on I Hope You Cry by McKee Thatcher hooked me. Played on a peppy, plucky e-piano, Thatcher immediately showcased his musical expertise by flipping the texture on its head. Instead of a happy, snappy number, the lead e-piano part on the title track “I Hope You Cry” dances in and out of minor chords and grapples with tension-filled measures before dropping into a foreboding swirl of dark synths. It blew me away.

The second track is called “Stupid Me.” It matches the musical complexity of the first song with modal harmony in a blend of organs and synth pads that would feel at home on a Death Cab for Cutie album. It’s creepy as h*ck, and becomes a trap-influenced spookscape after a glitchy drop that positively delighted me. I loved it. And this is my least favorite track on the record.

Everything spooky that I loved about “Stupid Me” is dialed up to eleven on “Ticks in My Neck,” which swaps out the trap for some dubstep bass (without ever becoming dubstep). It’s got better lyrics, cool bells, great vocal harmonies and doubling, and experimental production choices… gah. I really dig it.

The only issue with this album is that it’s definitely a slow burn. Thatcher relies a lot on process and duration, and he uses that technique to great effect. Listeners who also play or write music (or are generally into more esoteric genres) will definitely appreciate that. The average listener, however, may be turned off by the lack of immediate hooks. In the future, I’d like to see Thatcher incorporate some hookier elements early on to snag some more casual listeners, because he deserves them. The first 8 seconds of his song “Twenty Minutes” is a perfect example of a captivating intro, so I’m confident he’ll get there. He’s a great musician. This is quality, heartfelt songwriting.

I Hope You Cry is a thoughtful, spacious, artistic record with solid vocals, unique textures, and a distinct mix. It reminded me of some of the best records from the glory days of .mp3 internet blogs, and instilled in me a nostalgia I haven’t felt in a while. This record comes highly recommended.

Make sure to follow McKee Thatcher on Instagram and check out my favorite track, “Ticks in My Neck” below.