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Courtney Barnett has been an impressive part of Australia’s alternative music scene for over a decade. She stands out from the mainstream with her witty lyrics and distinctive conversational voice. Her new record, ‘Creature of Habit’ cements her as a 21st-century rock star. Using heavy guitar to soundtrack the tumultuous life she has led since her last album.
The opening track and lead single, ‘Stay In Your Lane’, is an ideal example of what Barnett is known for. The song is fueled by aggravation, its instrumental is guitar-focuse,d and immediate repetition sets the angered tone. “I know you’re tryna help me/ I know you’re tryna help me”, she repeats. As an opener, ‘Stay in Your Lane’ is hard-hitting and represents the difficulty in seeking change.
Despite the tone of the lyrics conveying discomfort, ‘Wonder’ and ‘Site Unseen’ lean into the upbeat backing. By comparison to the previous song, these tracks take a gentler approach. Lending from a country as opposed to alternative rock tambourine is a feel-good addition to the sad ‘Wonder.’ While in ‘Site Unseen’, Waxahatchee’s vocals are a cheerful harmony to Barnett.
Waxahatchee’s influence shines through in ‘Site Unseen’, while Barnett is considered an alternative artist, Waxahatchee is known for her use of country elements. Together, creating the balance that turns a song about needing to try something new into an Americana-rock anthem.
‘Mostly Patient’ is where Barnett connects most strongly to nature. Describing the love interest’s head as “cloudy” and that they are “like a bird looking for sunshine.” The song is grounded in the language that connects a person to the earth as a way to depict Barnett’s love for them, even if that person is far away.
In the track ‘One Thing at a Time’, the album is firmly back to an indie-rock sound. Heavy guitar is back, and a prevalent snare is heard in the background, building an atmosphere of frustration. ‘Mantis’ uses similar instruments in its construction, but the backing vocals mixed with the now upbeat instrumental create a confusing feeling. Whether to dance or cry along to the song is the real question here.
‘Sugar Plum’ is a beachy, electric rock track. Similar in sound to bands like Ocean Alley or Ball Park Music, blending electric guitar with uncertainty in the lyrical elements. It’s classic Australian surf-rock and a standout on the album. A fun track to represent a very relatable feeling, the phrase “I’m over my head” is repeated throughout the song.
The opening notes of ‘Same’ sound like they could have been taken from the soundtrack of the film Challengers. It has a layer of angst reminiscent of her previous work. It has the vibe of a coming-of-age movie with feelings of uncertainty. ‘Great Advice’ follows perfectly an act of defiance against those who pick apart one’s current state.
The closing track, ‘Another Beautiful Day’, is a resolution to the confused subject facing growth. It’s a bright track. It has a funky feel, specifically with its extended instrumentals that encourage a little grooving as the album ends.
‘Creature of Habit’ is an insight into emotional growth, following a theme of change. It’s cohesive despite the shifts between styles throughout the work. As a fourth album for Barnett, she has proven her ability to create something unique many years into her career.
Emma Giles
Image: ‘Creature of Habit’ Official Album Cover
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