Fully impressing in its psych-touched folk sound, Feeling Good All the Time is the new album from Chris Kunkel, an artist based in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Catching our ears in 2021 with the album Waiting to Die, Kunkel follows up that release with this thorough success. Feeling Good All the Time compels in its heartfelt songwriting, maintaining consistent introspection within memorable atmospheric and melodic directions.
Following intermingling acoustics and lush piano on “Opening,” the album shifts into gear with a multitude of riveting, vocal-accompanied folk standouts. “Leaving” reveals a haunting quaintness in its “something is wrong,” vocal ruminations and pulsing guitars, with the foreboding continuing onto “Say Something Dumb” — where the commencing vocals caution “there’s a fire on the road, kill the headlights and say something dumb.” It doesn’t take long for Feeling Good All the Time to establish ample intrigue and atmosphere within its intimate folk entrancement.
Flourishes of stylistic expansion show in the ensuing tracks. “Regression” melds murky guitars and twinkling keys, emanating like a sonar, while “Eat your Pig” embraces a dark unease in its “this is a world where nothing’s fun,” moroseness alongside ominous plucky guitars; shades of Wire — a la “French Film Blurred” — show fondly in the captivating stylishness. “Rot” resumes the more traditional folk soundscape, lyrically inquiring about rights/wrongs in its recollections of “all of the things you felt in the fall.” The final 30 seconds is especially enthralling, invoking a nocturnal circus-like calliope fascination.
A thoughtful calmness instead enamors on “Disturbed Sense,” breaking through “the sorrows,” and enduring to ruminate on the promise of a new day: “Our eyes are frozen to the sundown.” The steady acoustical drive pairs with the lush vocal presence and textured backing glow for a beautifully chilling psych-folk arsenal. “Something caused you to resign,” Kunkel’s vocals stir during a slight melodic shift. “Disturbed Sense” is amongst a number of highlights throughout the album, which also includes the anesthetic lull within “Nicotine Jeans,” bemoaning “I’ve seen better days,” within reserved folk haunts. The track is a cover of a Begushkin song, being a a previously unreleased version of “Stroll With Mine,” from his album Nightly Things.
The album concludes in satiating form with “Terrible Silence,” conveying a minimalist production with serene vocal aspirations and escalating noise effect — resembling an incoming ocean current before its abrupt fade. Gentle acoustics adorn gorgeously throughout. Feeling Good All the Time consistently impresses in its quality songwriting and immersive, intimate productions.
