Tomberlin - “Any Other Way”

SXSW 2020 - OEB Score: 8; Popularity Index: 6

Pairs Well With…Lucy Dacus, Anna Burch, Big Thief

Tomberlin’s 2018 debut At Weddings is a stunning introduction, a soft and vulnerable record embellished with chamber folk instrumentation that hits at a heart’s core. Nostalgia and growth play as key themes on At Weddings, songwriting that stems from bedroom pop foundations but is performed in a timeless way. Tomberlin matches that mood musically with delicacy and intention, building around simple guitar chords before filling space with lush Wurlitzer and harmonic accompaniment with a patient touch of a post-rock artist. While At Weddings is a folk record, it doesn’t necessarily sound of woodsy, Americana structure, rather Tomberlin takes her music in dreamy directions while still striking a direct, emotional tone lyrically. Instead of always finding an even balance, Tomberlin’s music moves in ebbs and flows, discovering dynamism in a genre that tends to rely more on known comfortability. In addition to SXSW, Tomberlin had March and April dates lined up opening for Soccer Mommy that hopefully get rescheduled on the backend, but till then we stay safe and let At Weddings be a beautiful soundtrack to some of these lonelier times. (Kevin McStravick)