Review Summary: A solid (if slightly unremarkable) follow-up to Waxahatchee's crowning achievement.
When Waxahatchee released the universally acclaimed
Saint Cloud into a world of widespread illness and pandemic lockdowns in late March of 2020, it reached ears in a way that Katie Crutchfield never could have anticipated during the album's actual creation. The stripped-down musical approach, raw but sweet vocal delivery, and soul-searching lyrics resonated with listeners and created new fans in the process as we all navigated COVID-19 together. Yet,
Saint Cloud was also a record that held its own regardless of external influences; it was a meticulous, beautiful, and emotional masterpiece that confronted Crutchfield's battle with alcohol and substance abuse. As she emerged triumphant, many found comfort in her journey while looking ahead towards an uncertain future.
While
Tigers Blood lacks the unique context of
Saint Cloud, it’s constructed very similarly. The drawn-out inflections, earthy pattering of drums, and twangy acoustic plucks all return and permeate the air with their rustic brand of Americana/country. But as with with
Saint Cloud, the best moments on
Tigers Blood come when Crutchfield laces those plaintive and rural vibes with just a little bit of splendor or boldness. Remember how her voice soared on ‘Oxbow’, how subtle and unshakably confident the hook of ‘Can’t Do Much’ was, or how the delicately aching pianos on ‘St. Cloud’ highlighted just how empty the room felt when she sang “Look back at me, embers aglow”? Such moments are, unfortunately, fewer and farther between on
Tigers Blood; we do hear it on ‘Bored’’s ardent rock and again on the swelling, layered refrain of the title track, but most of the record feels safe, resting ever-so-slightly too comfortably in
Saint Cloud’s laurels without the same charm or magic that made that album feel timeless.
That isn’t to say that
Tigers Blood isn’t another very strong release from Waxahatchee, though. A lot of the lyricism resides in areas of dark contemplation that rewards deeper dives – on ‘Evil Spawn’, Katie throws depressing daggers like “your principles ripen into a fragile tomb”, while other lines evoke desolate, forsaken imagery: "a rusted out sign / jesus loves you”. MJ Lenderman’s harmony vocals and guitar contributions also add a unique flair, particularly on the aforementioned rocker ‘Bored’ and the gorgeous lead single ‘Right Back to It’. Additionally, Crutchfield weaves her trademark subtle melodies throughout
Tigers Blood, with '3 Sisters', 'Ice Cold', and 'Lone Star Lake' serving up particularly addicting hooks that sound better with each listen. So while there may indeed be fewer moments that’ll take your breath away,
Tigers Blood still largely carries the momentum established by
Saint Cloud’s unexpected foray into folk.
Waxahatchee's latest effort is the mark of an artist effortlessly crafting great music at the top of her game, but it is also a sign of mildly diminished returns. Topping or even matching
Saint Cloud was always going to be a high bar to clear, so getting another cozy, country-leaning grower is certainly something that will satisfy anyone who's become a fan of her latest stretch of releases. Another stylistic pivot in the future could prevent Waxahatchee from settling into too predictable of a groove, but even if she stays the course, it's clear with
Tigers Blood that she's discovered a sustainable winning formula.
