Courtney Barnett - Things Take Time, Take Time

Callum Gray 15 November 2021

“Rae Street” opens ‘Things Take Time, Take Time’ with hazy ethereality. The warming guitar provides a foundation for Courtney Barnett’s hopeful despair. Examining with a polite curiosity of our daily battles.

The album is bigger in sound than previous albums, the guitar is produced so well, the richness of every twang is heard in beautiful detail. Though it still maintains the DIY sound you’ve all come to expect from Courtney.

The beautiful waves on “Here’s The Thing” sound like a broken down shoegaze, the mix giving plenty of space for the songs to breathe. Perhaps morphing away from the humour of previous records, this album lyrically takes a far more direct and intimate turn. It’s addressed directly and with confidence. Part of a movement from Barnett that had been happening for a while now.

Blending country sentimentality with typically indie pop rhythms it creates a real sense of nostalgia while reminding you it’s fresh and modern. An approach that requires a fine balance - and this record has very clearly succeeded in that. The guitar melodies on “Before You Gotta Go” are filled with playfulness and character. There’s also an irresistible catchiness to “If I Don’t Hear from you Tonight”.

Not losing her conversational style and ability to place a melody on whatever tune, with occasional growls of guitar, Courtney’s voice holds the mix, leading the sound forward, front and central throughout the album.

Equally, she’s still backed with a great accompaniment. The bobbing cavernous bass on drives ‘Turning Green’ forwards, make for a curiously psychedelic instrumentation, stripped back from melody. Before long it grows steadily into bitingly bitter spring reverbed guitar.

Through this record Courtney Barnett succeeds in retaining her place as the spokesperson for sad slackers. Slumping guitar full of character and voice runs parallel to her melancholy, yet personably charming musings.