Mildred – “Bird Laugh”
Mildred's got that enviable quality of sounding like they're barely trying while clearly putting thought into every note, which is exactly where the best alt-country lives these days. With four different voices trading off, there's real chemistry in how the melancholia sits alongside that loose, unhurried vibe, and that's the kind of thing our listeners tend to gravitate towards when they're after something introspective but not self-serious. Fenceline sounds like the sort of album that rewards repeated listens without demanding your full attention, which is a rare skill in 2024. If you've been sleeping on the Oakland scene's contributions to slacker twang, Mildred might be exactly what you need.
From Stereogum: Back in April, the Oakland alt-country band Mildred released their new album Fenceline. If you're into the booming cottage industry that is post-Pavement/Silver Jews 2020s slacker twang, you'll want to hear it. Mildred play with an easygoing looseness, even as lightweight melancholia hangs over everything, and their rotation of four singer-songwriters drawls with a tender melodic touch. Imagine if…
