Los Angeles-based artist Eric Schroeder consumes with a balance of hooky immediacy and vulnerable introspection across Cat’s Game, an album that enthralls in its depictions of loneliness, lost love, and feelings beyond. Released via Enabler No. 6 Records, Cat’s Game unveils a cathartic sense of overall relief — finding embrace in navigating these various emotions. Complementing these heartfelt themes is a cast of excellent musicians. Joining Schroder are Matt Scheussler on bass, Jake Richter on drums, Aidan Finn on keys — while the standout production comes from Rob Schnapf (Kurt Vile, Elliot Smith, Beck, X, etc).
Opening the album, “High and Low” exudes a twangy rock entrancement in its ascent to emotive outpouring: “Lonesome heartache, lonesome headache, lonesome feeling…” the vocals let out into a western-y suaveness as bright keys radiate underneath. “I suppose it takes awhile, before loneliness is peaceful,” the introspective lyricism continues, capturing an enduring sense of solitude and hope that the biting feeling will someday evolve into a sense of tranquility. The ensuing “Emily” touts a more vibrant piano-laden spirit, telling of that loneliness’ precursor in being a lament to lost love. “I long to be where the colors tease, and her love concedes,” poetic yearning exudes within a melding of psych-tinged radiance and rollicking Americana invigoration.
“Don’t Wanna Let You Go” continues the album’s strong start — which traverses from sincere depictions of loneliness and the lost love that contributed, into the more all-encompassing vulnerability within “Don’t Wanna Let You Go” that centers around a beautifully harmonious central refrain. Wordless backing vocals around the one-minute turn lend a shimmering power-pop quality. The highlights continue from there, ranging from the tender illuminated key-touched rock of “My Big Brother” to memorable finale “Road to Recovery,” stirring in its “I’ll try,” aspirations and ultimate striving for better change. Cat’s Game is a consistent display in quality songwriting from Eric Schroeder.
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We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
