The surprise sequel from My Morning Jacket's 2015 record shares themes of self reflection and nature over blissfully uncovered folk rock and indie psychedelia.
In the world of music, records that act as sequel and sister projects usually sum up to entirely being compared to their predecessors or acting as only a counterpart to the whole stylistic vision. The Waterfall II is the latest project from the Louisville-based rock band, My Morning Jacket, and I know that people will simply just label it as leftovers or songs that didn't make it on 2015's The Waterfall record. In fact, many people have actually made these exact comments on it. I'm a bit late to writing about this album since it was in fact released over the Summer, but I thought I would still be able to share my thoughts on it. The Waterfall II was recorded during the same very sessions as the first one (back in 2013-14), so even though this is a "new album" to the listener, it's not necessarily new within the span of time. Once frontman Jim James was walking around listening to the demo of the opening track, he decided to finish the touches on the shelved sequel project and finally bring it to the public. A surprising move of not being aware at all that a sequel was even possible, considering it has been five years since the initial Waterfall release.
I've spent quite a lot of time listening to both I & II over the past few months. Both albums are instrumentally similar with its sharp takes on folk rock and indie psychedelia, its gorgeously layered production too. It sounds clear that they have been created in the same mindset, but each project comes up as a different experience for me. The first one is more distinct, upfront, and palatable. It's by far the more enjoyable project and the sharpest one with its instrumental deliveries and sonic variations. Also, not to mention the number of excellent singles on it, including "Compound Fracture" and "Believe." The Waterfall II, on the other hand, is much harder to uncover and dissect. It has more quieter and slow moments on it, while still having some peppy and upbeat tracks to boot. Notably, there's a sense of darkness and vulnerability on the opening track, "Spinning My Wheels," where Jim James is bringing himself down with the tiresome attitude of giving up with all of his positive tendencies of kindness and positivity he typically brings to a track. This isn't throughout the record though (hence the positivity of speaking out on "Run It"), but it's an interesting contrast to what he typically sings about. Instrumentally, "Spinning My Wheels" is one of the most gorgeous ballads the band has put on record, with killer harmonies, strings, and lead hook. One of the best and most standout tracks of 2020 for sure.
There's an outright Beach Boys' Pet Sounds influence on "Still Thinkin," with bright piano jabs and happy-go-lucky harmonies from James. "Climbing the Ladder" brings out the country and Southern rock influence the band has grasped over the years, owning James' journey to not being able to find anything/one on his path except his love. Its plucky and twine guitars make it the most fun and loose track on the album. "Feel You" is another gorgeous ballad that stretches into six minutes of winding and twirling guitar melodies and a crooning James. "Magic Bullet," originally released in 2016, is an anti-gun anthem that has these very heavy and dense grooves, intensifying to a climax at the end with some excellent guitar and horn squeals. Like I mentioned earlier, "Run It" is a positivity anthem on speaking out and hearing your voice. It's a very traditional and easygoing song with acoustic guitar, light percussion, and piano. I love it. "Wasted" is another intense jam, a six minute one with abrasive guitars and vocal delivery/harmonies and it will surely be a crowd pleaser for future live shows to come. "Welcome Home" is another traditional folk ballad and the album's closer, "The First Time," recollects past love and smooth balladry in a similar way that the first Waterfall's closer did ("Only Memories Remain").
Though not as entirely amazing as 2015's The Waterfall is, The Waterfall II is certainly a great listen from front to back. It has its amazing moments itself, like the ballads and more jammier cuts. I do think this second record has more slow burners than instant moments and it may take more time to warm up to than the first record. There are still some really cool lyrical connections and themes of nature and self reflection that I really appreciate from Jim James. It's a great companion record to the first one with great production, songwriting, and performances overall. My Morning Jacket are still churning out blissful folk rock psychedelic tunes and I can't wait to hear what newer sessions from the band will uncover.
My Rating: 8 / 10
Favorite Songs: "Spinning My Wheels," "Run It," "Feel You," "Climbing the Ladder," "Magic Bullet"
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