Y'all -glaive review

It’s a big day for queer people everywhere, because glaive’s anticipated third album, Y’all, has just hit our speakers.

His last two records, I care so much that I don’t care at all and May it Never Falter, dug into the emo pop and digicore bags, respectively. Y’all continues that trend to, I’d argue, an improved result.

Y’all is glaive’s best-produced record to date. The tracks are earworms from front to back and never overstay their welcome.

The album is a very quick 40 minutes, and before I knew it, I had looped through the whole tracklist twice.

It’s a big day for queer people everywhere, because glaive’s anticipated third album, Y’all, has just hit our speakers.

His last two records, I care so much that I don’t care at all and May it Never Falter, dug into the emo pop and digicore bags, respectively. Y’all continues that trend to, I’d argue, an improved result.

Y’all is glaive’s best-produced record to date. The tracks are earworms from front to back and never overstay their welcome

The album is a very quick 40 minutes, and before I knew it, I had looped through the whole tracklist twice.

To me, glaive is still an artist with a lot of room to grow. I’ve heard him referred to as a chameleon in the way he replicates various sounds to various degrees. I don’t necessarily see this comparison as anything negative, but I have always wished for a more defined approach to his sound. I think Y’all is that step in the right direction.

This album is a huge step up in terms of lyrics. Tracks like “Bennie and Kay” and “i love you and it sounds stupid” show not only a new level of vulnerability and authenticity but also phrase each bar so beautifully.

"Sin begets sin is how it was sold to me

God willing, would you get old with me?

Not know with me, intertwine your soul with me

I’m leaving, you know how it goes with me"

It’s so simply put and so effective at the same time. There are a lot fewer words being wasted than in previous projects, and I can really appreciate this approach.

Y’all also fixes what I would consider a problem in the presentation and order of the track list.

May it Never Falter had some jarring decisions in the tracklist. The transition between “Joel” and “Live and Direct” comes to mind. It just never sat right with me to hear a song about loss transitioning to a song with the line, “I want you down on your legs, sucking my shit.”

Y’all doesn’t have these issues. I love the order in which these tracks are presented.

That being said, the flow of the record does tend to come to a halt for me in subsequent listens. The first and last thirds of the record are amazing. The album is front-loaded with banger after banger. “Asheville” and “Appalachia” opened this record in a way that immediately hooked me.

And “Bennie and Kay,” works as an amazing close to the project. It reminded me of my relatives who aren’t around anymore, and brought me back to a moment of reflection that I’ve experienced through grief. It’s almost nostalgic in its familiarity.

The middle of the record, however, left me unenthused. Tracks like “9,” “It Is What It Is,” and “Modafinil,” though not bad songs by any means, don’t leave that same impression as the rest of the record.

Which is a shame because on a different project, I don’t think I would be as harsh on these tracks, but there are others that are just so rich in texture and subject matter.

If you haven’t given Y’all a try, then I really encourage you to do so. It’s a fun experience that you can get through in a quick car ride or workout.

Rating: B+

Favorite Songs: Bennie and Kay, i love you and it sounds stupid, We Don’t Leave The House, Asheville

Least Favorite Songs: Modafinil, It Is What It Is, 9

B+

(Toast Press)