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But to find out how Jordan really got here, let's take it back a decade.įor the past ten years or so, "revivalist" scenes have grown out of nowhere, and have very nearly dominated modern indie rock. But what really brings about comparisons of Jordan to Phair is the generation Jordan has grown up in - almost exactly the one I grew up in - where the mythologizing of an artist is so popular that artists become obsessives, ripping off aesthetics and approaches of their favorite artists, particularly those of ‘90s Matador bands.
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It may be facile to compare Jordan to someone like Liz Phair, especially since Jordan was literally in a Phair cover band at one point, but also for the depth her songwriting is capable of, often leading the listener into a state of vulnerability and nostalgia, bringing back some truly painful recollections of our teenage years. However, these moments are typically forgotten when you come across songs such as "Speaking Terms," and "Let's Find An Out," memorable songs that mark Snail Mail's place in the indie-rock canon. Jordan's sound is developed, sure, but ultimately, it can grow a bit stale, washed away by throwaway album fillers, found on songs like "Stick," and "Golden Dream," which continue the theme of Lush, but add nothing particularly special to it as a cohesive unit. It may be punishing due to the lack of diversity in her music or tracklist. It's a feat in itself, both rewarding and, at times, a bit punishing. What may seem perplexing on the surface is that Jordan's sound is incredibly well-developed, not just for her age, but for any artist's debut album. Jordan's 2017 EP, Habit, released on the DIY punk label Sister Polygon, brought Jordan to the attention of some major media coverage, and her single "Thinning" quickly became a minor indie-rock hit. A native of suburban Baltimore, Jordan has been playing the guitar since she was five years old, classically trained, and eventually took lessons with Helium mastermind Mary Timony, one of the finest guitarists and songwriters of the ‘90s. The moment has finally arrived - the hype machine of music media has coughed up another "next best" artist - a yearly/bi-yearly event - and it just so happens to be Matador's latest signee Lindsey Jordan, AKA Snail Mail.