Margaret Glaspy, hailed as the "next big thing" in indie-rock circles, fuses ethereal vocals with impressive guitar skills. Her latest work, Echo the Diamond, showcased her power-trio sound, but her new EP, The Sun Doesn’t Think, represents a pivot to a more intimate style. In the EP, Glaspy shifts from electric to acoustic guitar, creating a collection of five heartfelt ballads that highlight her lyrical honesty and vulnerability.
The opening track, "24/7," immerses listeners in a personal space, with Glaspy reflecting on adulthood and relationships. She navigates themes of self-doubt and introspection, notably in "I Need Help," where she candidly acknowledges her struggles. Glaspy describes songwriting as a means of exploring her life experiences, akin to photographyβtimely and reflective.
Each song on The Sun Doesn’t Think emanates a sense of direct connection with her audience; removing the layers adds to the emotional depth. Her storytelling ability is reminiscent of musical heroes like Tom Waits and Bob Dylan, as seen in "Would You Be My Man?", where she adopts a fictional persona to convey deeper narratives.
Glaspyβs decision to perform solo acoustic shows emphasizes the beauty of simplicity and direct interaction with the audience, distancing herself from the complexities of her electric performances. She expresses excitement about sharing these immediate works live, describing them as "fresh from the farm to the market." While her indie rock sound will likely return, for now, Glaspy embraces this quieter, more personal phase of her artistry.
