On his solo albums for the Sub-Pop label, (2011’s Several Shades of Why, 2014’s Tied To A Star and 2018’s Elastic Days) J Mascis has gone the basic acoustic guitar route, focusing on stripped-down songs and tones. However, for his newest solo effort, What Do We Do Now, the sonic structure is altered by drums, piano, and his famous electric guitar solos, all filling out the sound as J’s (quite pretty) collection of songs floats out.
The acoustic guitar still serves as the rhythmic foundation on the new album, but J was inspired to play drums and the full band naturally followed. Ken Mauri (of The B-52s) plays piano on several tracks and Matthew “Doc” Dunn contributes some steel guitar, but all the rest is Mascis who tones down the Dinosaur Jr. roar for a pleasant, Sunday afternoon-like take on his songwriting.
The opening “Can’t Believe We’re Here” sets the blueprint that is repeated throughout the album as acoustic strums and drums hold it down while piano and muted electric guitar runs add texture throughout the light and airy offering. The title track and “Right Behind You” both play with Mascis’ fetching/sweet/sad trifecta as dynamic acoustic guitar picking is paired with muted electric fuzz tone solos, which fit inside of the song instead of blowing them apart.
It would have been a joy to have those riffs fully unleashed on “I Can’t Find You”, one of the more interesting efforts here. The song feels like it wants to be a stomping rage, but settles for head bopping twinkling, with ominous storm clouds gathering just on the fringes, a cool tune.
“You Don’t Understand Me” is a dourer but works in a light self-pitying way while “Set Me Down” goes in the other direction as a wooly, American-ish folk-rock, successful upbeat jam. Two strong efforts wrap up the record with “Hangin Out” working in a more direct indie rock vibe using a dramatic build, while closer “End Is Gettin Shaky” combines the blissful, mournful, and hopeful feelings presented throughout into a great summation of J’s songwriting mind frame this go around.
The only downside of this release is that each song seems to be of the same formulaic structure. Perhaps inserting one of these toned-down efforts into a proper Dinosaur Jr. album or adding an out-and-out barn burner on What Do We Do Now would help mix things up. As it stands, fans of any of J’s outings will find something to latch onto here.
This collection of songs seems to complete the chain from his basic solo acoustic work to his Fog albums, all the way through to his head-banging stoner rock (Heavy Blanket) and ear-bleeding country (Dinosaur Jr.). What We Do Now, is a self-assured, easy-going, folk/indie rocker, continuing J Mascis’ natural progression, and an enjoyable listen all around.
