Nowadays, probably the most stunning factor about J Mascis’ solo albums is how common they’ve turn out to be. When Mascis launched A number of Shades of Why in 2011, a quarter-century into his profession, it was an anomaly—his first solo file of unique materials and an acoustic showcase for a few of his most susceptible songwriting. Ever since, he’s made it an everyday behavior, chasing every new Dinosaur Jr. album with a mellower, extra leisurely solo file a few years later, as if a part of some inventive detox ritual.

Because the unique Dino Jr. lineup launched its improbably lengthy, drama-free reunion, they’ve dedicated to, if not a more healthy eating regimen of communication and compromise, at the very least a shared understanding of their strengths, with Mascis writing to the terse sensibilities of his bandmates Lou Barlow and Murph. That’s led to some wonderful information—5 of them in a row, an unimaginable streak—however it’s additionally restricted a lot of the shaggy exploration that Mascis delivered to the band when he ran it as a de facto solo venture within the ’90s and freely granted himself the proper to bask in gaudy funk or throw in a trumpet.

Like 2018 predecessor Elastic Days, Mascis’ fourth solo album, What Do We Do Now, performs like a conventional band album, albeit in a decibel vary significantly decrease than Dinosaur Jr.’s skyscraper amp towers. Acoustic rhythm guitars floor the file with a vivid shimmer, and Mascis accompanies them with a full drum equipment, keyboards from Ken Maiuri (a fellow Massachusetts native and present member of the B-52’s), and, most unmistakably, the searing electrical guitar solos that he pointedly left off of his first couple of solo information.

These wailing, emotive guitars stay one of the vital expressive devices in indie rock, however their impression is dulled once they’re unrooted from Dinosaur Jr.’s default quantity and propulsion. The primary time they torpedo by means of opener “Can’t Imagine We’re Right here,” jolting the observe to life, the impact is simple. After they repeat the maneuver on each tune, virtually all the time on the halfway level, the joys wears off. Mascis’ finest solos exude spontaneity. These really feel extra like muscle reminiscence.

To the extent What Do We Do Now is much less satisfying than Mascis’ earlier solo releases, it’s as a result of it has much less to disclose. Mascis has written so many songs about the identical wants and frustrations—his failures to speak, to be understood, and finally accepted—that they will’t assist however bleed collectively. Nonetheless, the album’s gentle contact and content material disposition make it an easy hear, particularly when Mascis leans into tenderness. On the title observe, he sings about longing to kiss and squeeze you, a line that may scan as barbed amid the stress and murk of a Dinosaur Jr. tune. Right here it’s simply one other nice thought on an album whose instincts are all the time for acquainted comforts.

J Mascis: What Do We Do Now