The third album from Chicago-based singer/songwriter Steve Slagg, I Don’t Want to Get Adjusted to This World melds twangy Americana and hooky power-pop within an emotively impactful thematic direction. The latter style gets particular bolstering from Chicago power-pop act Mooner, serving as the album’s band and co-producers. Slagg describes the release as “about escaping into nature when you’re too queer to function.” Contemplations on individuality, queerness, and spirituality persist with artful lyrical prowess alongside consistently melodic productions.
Both the melodic immediacy and heartfelt thematic aims are apparent on the delightful track “Fruita.” Hazy organs and twangy guitars converge seamlessly amidst vocals ruminating on change and identity, specifically described as “about being gay in the great outdoors.” The vocals enamor in duet form, featuring Slagg and his mentor, Massachusetts-based singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Erin McKeown. “Out here we’re hardy strange, lover don’t you change a thing,” Slagg sings into twanging guitars and organs, stirring in its emphasis on embracing one’s self and reveling in nature’s lack of judgment.
“Heaven (Yet)” follows with an enchanting sense of expansion. “City’s been making me nervous,” the vocals ruminate, as quaint guitars and flourishing woodwinds excel into a proclaiming drive to escape the urban sprawl. “Do you think we’re making good time?” the road-trip feeling continues, invigorating in its chamber-pop and rock cohesion. I Don’t Want to Get Adjusted to This World is abundant in quality songwriting and engaging productions, marking a surefire success from Steve Slagg.
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“Fruita” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup, as part of the artist’s promotional campaign.
