Home Video

An enduring myth of post punk Liverpool was what the music press liked referring to as 'The Crucial 3'.The trio in question - Ian McCullough, Pete Wylie, and Julian Cope - did indeed make their mark, albeit not together. Fast forward some forty plus years, and I think it's fair to say the world has since been blessed with another threesome you could -arguably - describe as "crucial".Whether working together on their Boy Genius project or releasing consistently good records, Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker, and Lucy Dacus have heralded in a new age of young, confessional diarists whose captivating narratives are rightly mopping up the plaudits. Lucy Dacus is my favourite of the three, and her new album 'Home Video' further reinforces that view. Documenting the present for future reference, Dacus' previous album 'Historian' was thus called for that very reason. The songs on 'Home Video' on the other hand provide relatable snapshots of Dacus' formative years, pinpointing those topsy turvy times of sexual awakenings, heightened optimism, and frequent disappointment.Good friends Baker and Bridgers - both of whom provide vocal backup on the catchy campfire strum along of 'Going Going Gone' - would do well to take heed of Dacus' musical approach.The vivid recollections of 'Hot And Heavy' and the rocking 'First Time' are given a jaunty lift which those two artist's work often lacks, with upbeat drums and guitars that don't lessen the lyrical impact one iota.And it's not called selling out either; Dacus' ear for melody makes her cynical memories of Christian summer camp even more interesting on 'VBS', clearly aware that just a tiny bit of accessibility is no bad thing when you want your work to get across { It's why Dylan went electric after all }.However, the most striking track it turns out just happens to be the most musically minimal.Dacus is protective towards those she loves , and loyal almost to the point of committing murder. Against a shimmering wall of synth on 'Thumbs' she vows: "I would kill him if you let me, I would kill him quick and easy". Similarly, on Christine', she promises the titular character that she'd "throw my shoe at the altar" were she to go ahead with what Dacus foresees as a doomed, loveless marriage.The story telling on 'Home Video' is exemplary throughout, particularly on songs like 'Cartwheel' and 'Partner In Crime'. Even the use of the dreaded autotune can't derail the latter track, a candid admission of a teenage dalliance with an older lover {"When you asked my age, I lied"...}The epic indie chug of album closer 'Triple Dog Dare' sees Dacus eloping to escape parental prejudice and judgement with a head swimming with youthful waywardness. But, you won't be running away from 'Home Video' let me assure you. On 'Brando' Dacus dryly recalls: " You called me cerebral. I didn't know what it meant. But now I do. Would it have killed you to call me pretty instead?"Great stuff; and crucial too....

Can do no wrong at the minute. Top songwriter with great tunes.