If you’ve ever wanted to feel like a sentient pile of laundry staring out a rain-streaked window, ‘Birding‘ by deary is the sonic hug you didn’t know you needed. Released on Bella Union, it’s the kind of record that makes you walk out on your job one day, buy a pair of oversized binoculars, and dedicate your life to identifying warblers while wearing a sweater that’s three sizes too big. The production is so delightfully lush that it feels like it was recorded inside a giant marshmallow floating through space, and I mean that as the highest possible compliment.
The songwriting hits that hyper-specific sweet spot between “I am a misunderstood genius” and “I forgot to eat lunch again today.” On “Seabird,” the ethereal textures are so convincing you might actually start checking your shoulder for salty ocean spray. Each track meanders with a charming indifference that suggests the artist was more interested in a passing butterfly than hitting a perfect high note, especially on “Baby’s Breath,” which sounds like a 90s dream-pop dream you’d have if you fell asleep in a florist’s shop. It’s essentially a musical weighted blanket that makes even a trip-hop beat feel like a cozy afternoon nap.
Ultimately, Birding is a triumph for the chronically relaxed. This is best exemplified by the seven-minute epic “Alfie,” a song so long and soaring that you could probably finish a jigsaw puzzle or contemplate your entire existence before it ends. It’s the perfect soundtrack for activities that require zero physical exertion, like overthinking a text message or watching moss grow on a rock. If you’re looking for high-octane energy, look elsewhere; but if you want to drift away on a cloud of fuzzy guitars, deary has delivered the absolute gold standard of cozy vibes.
Links of interest:
https://www.instagram.com/dearyband
https://deary.bandcamp.com/album/birding
https://bellaunion.com/products/deary-birding