HEAR THIS: Snail Mail

November 29. 2017 | By Wayne Jessup

Photo by Julia Leiby

Nabbing a plum spot opening for Waxahatchee on a summer West Coast tour, Baltimore’s Snail Mail is the brainchild of Lindsey Jordan, who refined her solo bedroom lo-fi stylings on EP Sticki into a trio, with a modest six song cassette Habit (out on vinyl via Sister Polygon) that punches well above its weight. Complimented by a rhythm section of Alex Russell and Ray Brown, Snail Mail conjures a cathartic noise. The set we caught in Los Angeles was highlighted by Lindsey finishing off with a stunning new song, “Anytime,” performed solo.

On Habit, “Slug” and “Static Buzz” stand tall, but the hallmark here is the overall consistency and sequencing that radiates with a mirror ball-like quality and compels repeat listening. Snail Mail has also released an Audiotree live session of most of the tracks on Habit that makes a definitive case for their live sets. With their recent signing to Matador Records and a full-length album on the way in 2018, the road is wide open for Snail Mail. Personally, we’re holding out for a concept record on Berger’s Cookies, but we shall see.

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