Ryan Adams has taken the lead and has released 5 new albums to start 2024: “Sword & Stone” “Star Sign” “Prisoners (Live)” “heat wave” and “1985”. All of them, under their own record label, PAXAM, founded in 2004.
The albums have been available on digital platforms since January 1st, the date on which the North American singer songwriter decided to surprise his fans with a somewhat late, but unique Christmas gift. As a curiosity, the singer has revealed where the covers for each of his projects came from.
“Stephen is the guiding light and voice of PAXAM’s aesthetic. In this moment when my bizarre ideas and arbitrary photos mix like clouds or a lost rosary that I see when I go for a run he has been able to transform covers, t-shirts and any crazy thing we can think of into the most beautiful, classic, cool and easily recognizable thing in the world.”
“Heatwave” resonates with Ryan’s rock side. Those familiar with Ryan’s work know he’s a chameleon. Sometimes a crooner, sometimes a rocker, and sometimes crafting witty improvisation tunes about boogers like “Mr. Booger Man” from Life After Deaf (2012).
No matter the side Ryan shows, he wears his heart and frustrations on his sleeves. I think that’s why he is able to connect to so many through his music. The emotions, from hurt to happiness, possess a genuine feel and are not manufactured propaganda from a corporate machine..
“Heatwave” clocks in at around forty minutes with fourteen songs that capture Ryan’s signature rock-n-roll vibe. Among these, the closing track “5th Avenue” stands out as the quintessential Ryan rocker. The song is lush from beginning to end. Reverberating guitars and bass, time ticking away on the drums, and Ryan’s heartfelt vocals end “Heatwave” on a high.
The opening track, “Lies”. The song has the punk vibes of “1985” but less angst and it’s easy to see why it wasn’t on the album and it makes sense to kick off “Heatwave“. The bass in “Mercy”, “Heatwave”, “I’m Sorry”, “Too Late” are clutch. It brings such a beautiful element to each song that enhances the depth and soul of each melody.
Be still my bass loving heart, “Supernatural” is perfect. From vocals to lyrics to guitar, bass, and drums there is nothing wrong with this song. The addition of keys lends a nostalgic 70s aura where organs and pianos tethered an audience to an aural experience and they are absolute magic in “Supernatural”.
The disco funk of the guitars and the sliding bass are absolute stand out gems in “Walls”. They steal the spotlight and run away with it. It’s one of the best songs on “Heatwave“.
Meanwhile, “The Blue Canoe” flaunts a surfy 50s vibe, showcasing Ryan’s storytelling prowess with an intriguing narrative and infectious, fun melodies.
Fans of Ryan will understand that all I need to say about “I’m Insane (Again)” is that the harmonica wins.
Ryan’s rock side has always been underrated. Not rock enough for rock radio and too much rock for alternative radio. He’s always been on the fringe of music and before his time, and “Heatwave” is proof that Ryan’s rock side is a perfect balance that allows him creative freedom without the constraints of genre norms.
If “1985” was a cathartic purge of negativity and inner turmoil, then “Heatwave” is an acknowledgement of the hurt, pain, and loss.
My brother turned me on to records when I was a kid. His kid brother, weirdo I was with OCD and likely on the spectrum. So he made me compilation tapes of Ozzy and the Scorpions and just tons of cool music. He didn’t believe in having any allegiance to one genre so there would be amazing deep cuts from Christopher Cross, then AC/DC then some cool metal.
In a single day, Adams has released a total of 77 songs, among which are the live versions of their album “Prisoners” published in February 2017. The majority, however, are unreleased and navigate between the rock and roll of Bruce Springsteen and the punk rock (garage and somewhat dirty) of Ramones.
It should be noted that it is especially striking that several of the tracks “1985” They barely reach a minute in length, So we can venture to say that they are simple demos and unfinished songs in which Ryan has experimented with sound and specific themes. To recap, “1985” is punk angst, “Heatwave” is a rock revelation, and “Star Sign” is Ryan in his singer-songwriter glory.
For forty-one minutes and across ten songs, the listener finds Ryan at his most vulnerable. His heart and feelings are on his sleeve, baring his soul for anyone who listens. It’s a beautiful experience. It’s a heartbreaking experience. It’s an experience Ryan fans know and understand when it comes to his crooner side. Raw, real, and emotional, Ryan writes stunning prose that paints gorgeous pictures steeped in emotions that coloured in gold and red tones and at times blues and pinks.
The most wonderful thing about “Star Sign” is that you can get lost in the album. Be it the words or the music, the album is one that you sit with and meditate on. It’s both a reflective and introspective album. One could listen to the album a multitude of times and find new meaning each time.
Fans of his slower side, ballads, and quieter works are going to be thrilled with “Star Sign“. The one upbeat tempo song, “Shinin’ Through the Dark” makes me think of Ryan in his Whiskeytown days. The accordion (it sounds like one to me, so if I’ve got the instrument wrong, please forgive me) brings a wonderful sway to the song that feels like you’re sitting on a front porch swing with your grandparents. It’s safe, comforting, and warm.
The stunning electric guitar work in “Be Wrong” coupled with the lyrics is sure to make this song a classic like “Come Pick Me Up”, “When the Stars Go Blue”, and “When Will You Come Back Home”. The harmonica in “Tomorrow Never Comes” made my heart ache. Combined with the electric guitar wails and cries, the song is gut wrenching. An even more gut wrenching song is “I Lost My Place”. The piano accompanying Ryan’s voice and lyrics is poetic and tear inducing.
The ticking clock and the mood of the melody in “Staying Alive” makes me feel as if this could be a song in a Disney or Pixar film where the main character has the epiphany that turns their life around to save the day. On a note of hope and love, it’s a lovely way to end “Star Sign“.
“Happy New Year. Happy 2024. I’m Ryan Adams, he of music, novels, art and questionable guitar solos. I just wanted to thank everyone who has pre-ordered an album and those who have made it possible be a great day of reproductions in streaming for me. “It’s incredible,” he thanked the reception through his social networks.
Despite being twenty-nine tracks, “1985” only clocks in at thirty-five minutes. For those who only know the crooner side of Ryan, “1985” could be a shock to the system as it is punk rock through and through.
But that’s the versatility of Ryan and his talent. One minute he could be belting out a heartfelt song and the next an in your face song of anger. Despite those attempts to pigeonhole him into a specific sound or genre, Ryan has defied those labels and chains again and again. Most, if not all of the songs are quick and filled with a sense of frustration and rage. It’s as if Ryan took all the negativity and hate he’s received be it from haters or internalisation of his own mind and channelled it through 1985 as a cathartic cleanse.
The down tempo song, “Down the Drain” is a literal moment of reprieve that clocks in at thirty seconds. Following it is “Bag of Trash” that is the familiar blend of rock that Ryan creates.
1985 is a visceral middle finger of defiance and a welcoming swift kick to the face.
Available as only vinyls, Ryan dropped the tetralogy of “1985“, “Heatwave“, “Star Sign“, “Sword & Stone“, and the live version of “Prisoners Live” at the start of the year.
The twelve track album sits at approximately thirty-six minutes on the clock and is a wonderful blend of Ryan at his best. While I appreciate and like Ryan’s versatility, my personal preference of Ryan’s style for an album is his more upbeat rockers mixed with the melancholy sadness of his slower songs.
Like “Star Sign“, it’s easy to get lost within “Sword & Stone“. Too focused on the music, one will miss the candid lyrics. Too focused on the lyrics, one will miss some of the best guitar, bass, and drum work across all of the four albums. “Sword & Stone” makes you hit repeat so you don’t miss anything and in a day and age where one hit wonders and singles reign supreme, being able to listen to an album on repeat is proof of heart. At least that’s my thought. I’m happy to spin albums on repeat for days if not months or years.
Some of the songs, especially “Nuclear War” have a Ryan Adams & the Cardinals vibe and I’m curious as to if they were originally written for that project or not.
“Sword & Stone” has wonderful music be it the soulful bass, the slide guitar, the brushstrokes on the drum, and nary a harmonica. I don’t think I missed hearing it as Ryan has a pretty distinct harmonica playing style. But not having the harmonica doesn’t break the album, if anything, it allows “Sword & Stone” to float between that alt rock and alt country sound that Ryan can sometimes fall between.
Live albums or live recordings in general can be great ways to connect to fans who haven’t seen an artist live or might not get to experience a live performance. It gives fans a taste of what it’s like to be standing in the crowd with others, but seeing a band live can also showcase a litany of flaws of an artist or band.
“Prisoners (Live)” though only showcases a litany of reasons why one must catch Ryan Adams live at least once in their life. “Prisoners (Live)” like all of Ryan’s live albums capture the raw talent the man possesses. It also allows for a nuanced experience that only a live show can provide.
Like the saxophone in “Prisoner”. Christ almighty. The saxophone combined with the harmonica on “Prisoner” is absolutely stunning. The instrument compliments his music and voice beautifully.
Another stand out track is “Outbound Train”, the song feels brighter, the bass is heavier, and Ryan’s vocals are more full emotion than the studio album. If one can’t get to see Ryan live, “Prisoners (Live) allows one to experience an intimate and emotional portrait of a man that wears his heart and emotions on his sleeves.
What I don’t believe in is wasting time. There’s my work and my faith. The rest is just noise and it has no place in my work or my life. It has no hope of surviving here in this beautiful machine I built inside me that feels the power and importance of every colour your eyes can absorb and every beautiful thing created from the moments we are allowed to have on Earth.
So here is it, my newest songs
The Fat Angel Sings 