By Ezra Lloyd
Hailing from Alabama, Space Tyger gives us their third album called Bittersweet.
Granted it is a bit hard to pinpoint an “Alabama sound” by any means other than Muscle Shoals and FAME Studios. Space Tyger actually does hail from this almost mythical place that has seen a resurgence of hype. You can most certainly hear some of the old soul vibes bubbling up from the swamp, but it’s a clean and modern feel. Like an alligator driving a Tesla, it employs old techniques of songwriting and arrangement melded with minimalistic west-coast production ideals.
THE GOOD
The title track Bittersweet digs in and showcases the true depth Space Tyger is bringing to the table. Both lyrically and within the songwriting on the track, one gets a sense of what his range truly is. This album is pretty Wurlitzer heavy, which honestly is always a lovely surprise especially if it’s treated well in the post-production. Some would just lump this album in with “Bedroom Pop”, but Bittersweet evokes artists like Mk.gee, austenyo, Jerry Paper, Video Age, BOYO and a host of others that are pushing that style and genre to new heights.
Photo: Rylee Paxton
THE BAD
When I talk about break out tracks I mean a track that sticks out on an album, defining the style that that artist is going for. With Bittersweet the whole album seems to be a study in the unique sound that Space Tyger is shooting for. Zephyr the second to last track on the album seems to want to do something a bit different, and in all honesty, it was the one we thought dug in and was the boldest. Youth, by comparison, seemed a bit, well, boring for a side one, track one (not that that matters really in 2019).
I would also make a wager that as previously mentioned this album is going to get lumped in with the “Bedroom Pop” genera. Because of that, it might seem like its lagging behind the curve. Once you take a look under the hood a little bit though, it shows its not just another sad boi anthem.
THE VERDICT
Bittersweet is a solid third album for Space Tyger. In earnest, it seems like judging by his most popular songs on Spotify, that Bittersweet is the album that is now resonating with his following the most. Most importantly, it is an album that seems to have the best shot of giving Space Tyger the recognition that they very much deserve. Having three full-length albums out is an impressive starting point to build a following. Space Tyger is without a doubt an artist you need to keep your eye on.
