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Music Review: The Armadillo Paradox – Austin / I Wish I Had More Exes


    The Armadillo Paradox - Austin - I Wish I Had More Exes-2

    The Armadillo Paradox tugs at your imagination, using an array of various instruments and immense creativity to create sounds and lyrics that ideate, persuade, and mesmerize. The music catches you in a subtle flurry of mandolin and piano notes that sound lively and original. At times they are soothing and empathetic, at others raw and powerful. Best of all, they aren’t afraid to shake things up and create something entirely new.

    In the debut track “Austin”, the band packs potent lyrics squarely into a familiar country/rock storyline of disillusionment and lost love, although the love is with a city on the brink of hypocritical collapse. Through honest and biting wording, Jared Huskey’s songwriting exposes you to the bumps and chaos of the world while Sol Chase’s mandolin soars over it all, providing some gentle reassurance. The vocals, including some sweet harmonies from Chase, dig into crevices rich with sarcasm and propel this deceptively simple song into a thrilling ride. They gracefully navigate the intersection of folk-rock and country, turning detailed images of hometown tranquility into tilted and crazy reflections.

    The song examines how a person or place chooses its identity, especially when you come up against hard–worn cultural norms. Borrowing both the stylistic and storytelling genealogies of many genres, the band extend a satirical tip-of-the-hat to their hometown of Austin, Texas. The song is dramatically upfront, powerfully honest—not to mention it sounds amazing.

    The second track “I Wish I Had More Exes” uses the inevitability of heartbreak to explore the mysteries of love. While it is a cry of pain in many ways, it also offers reassurance, and I think lots of people will find comfort in listening to this song. It’s soothing and melancholy, a country ballad as classic as they come. It’s hushed and patient, often presenting in-the-moment honesty over retrospective wisdom. It’s one of those tracks that ends a show. The music will be over, the crowd will disperse, and the world will be louder and more confusing than ever, but the melody and message will stay in the hearts and minds of listeners. Chase’s lyrics have a maturity to them. He knows the subject well, and he creates universality with softer folk touches and a wistful glow in every line. The vocals brighten ever so slightly throughout the song, the cadence quickening as the singer contemplates how he’s going to overcome his setbacks.

    These two songs are an indication that The Armadillo Paradox isn’t just a temporary blip in the top-tier folk-rock and country worlds. They have a vision and voice, and I believe they will rise to and stay at the top with their engaging and entertaining narratives.

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