Originally the solo project of Albany's Michael Doherty,
Another Michael expanded into a three-piece by the time they relocated to Philadelphia in 2017. Improving the quality of the songs and stepping up production after the next year's promising Land EP,
Another Michael's full-length debut,
New Music and Big Pop, offers a rock-solid entry point for the uninitiated. It opens with a song about music itself, "New Music," which romanticizes music discovery through friends as well as the making of one's own, with an ethereal indie folk-rock that never loses its warm composure as the album progresses. A moving intro, it leads into the livelier "I Know You're Wrong," a likewise affectionate-sounding track that highlights Doherty's soaring falsetto. His vocals are often double-tracked or reinforced here by bandmates Nick Sebastiano and Alenni Davis (who records solo as Alenni). On "Row," Davis acts as both a harmonizer and, briefly, a duet partner. More-colorful harmonies appear on "What Gives," one of several tracks with strong folk roots, including its expressive strumming and fiddle accompaniment. Elsewhere, "I'm Not Home" ("Walk out the door if you need me") takes on eerier, traditional English folk hues. There's also a song called "Big Pop," a feel-good standout with bright chord transitions, albeit anxious lyrics. Distinctly of its time,
New Music and Big Pop makes reference to everyday technologies, troubled times, and the importance of connecting with friends and managing mental health. Closer "Shaky Cam" opens with the words, "At a friend's house making dinner/We use lots of ingredients/Can't decide on flavor/Or focus on the directions" before thoughts drift toward worrying about a future "in and out of focus." Its pretty chords help round out the set on an appropriately poignant note, while lyrics end with an unanswered question. ~ Marcy Donelson