Gunn, Steve: Other You LP

Other You is the sixth studio album by American singer Steve Gunn. Recorded during two visits to Los Angeles in late 2020 and early 2021, the album was made with veteran producer Rob Schnapf (Beck, Elliott Smith, Cass McCombs, Kurt Vile) at his Mant Studios alongside musician and longtime friend and collaborator Justin Tripp, whose credits include appearances on Gunn's Time Off and Way Out Weather. The relocation was in a way more than geographical – the surroundings, warm climate and tight-knit studio team encouraged Gunn to tap into new approaches, techniques and emotional reservoirs, casting off established notions, habits and hang-ups. A featherlight touch coasts through the album – from the classical guitar and piano interplay and soulful baritone of the title track, nimble drum brush swing at the heart of "Fulton" and "The Painter," slow-burn kosmische rock of "Protection," electric piano pulses and majestic tremolo stabs of "Reflection," to the cascading harps of "Sugar Kiss" – it is easily Gunn's brightest and most life-affirming work to date. He is assisted by contributions come from friends and fellow artists including Juliana Barwick, Mary Lattimore, Bridget St. John, Jeff Parker, Bill MacKay, Ben Bertrand, drummer Ryan Sawyer (TV On The Radio, Thurston Moore, Gang Gang Dance), and others.