Songs for Christmas by Sufjan Stevens

MELISMA | SPRING 2021 | 15

PAUL WILLIAMS

Surf Music by Paul Williams is easily my most-listened-to album. The Kiwi comedian-slash-musician released the album in 2018, and it has since remained relatively unknown. Which is a huge shame, because the album is a banger.

Most of the songs on the album have a fast tempo with a steady drumline, and would generally be classified as “upbeat.” This contrasts with many of the lyrics, which range from sad to nostalgic, although the first half of the album does have a number of cheerful songs. The lyrics may be my favorite aspect of the album. Paul, from his perspective as a hopeless romantic, sings of the overwhelming joy that comes from fully committing yourself to someone and giving them your unconditional support, and of the lasting pain that comes when your lives part ways. He embeds moments of comedy within all this that genuinely make me laugh out loud.

SURF MUSIC

Adding to his poetic lyrics is the beautiful music Paul creates, often with only a handful of instruments. He of course has your typical synths and drums, but also frequently includes tonal percussion that gives the album a very beachy vibe, as well as strings that fill out the sound quite nicely. However, my favorite moments are when the instruments cut back and we get to hear Paul sing his beautiful harmonies with himself.

The songs in Surf Music develop in a wonderfully cohesive way that will get every song stuck in your head at once. I highly recommend listening to the album in its entirety. That said, if you insist on only listening to two songs from the album, Listen to the first and last. “Surf Music” will surely start your feet a-dancing, and “Marina,” with its delicious guitar courtesy of NK-47, will have you lying down in the shower.

WRITTEN BY THOMAS FELT