Several Shades of Why is the soon-to-be-released record from Dinosaur Jr guitarist, singer and songwriter from J. Mascis on Sub-Pop Records. He’s a legend to many, and this record shows a master at work. Like the end of the spring and start of the summer, this record is full of hope and sweet melody. There’s no drums to be heard and sparse percussion, aside from the tambourine on current single and 6music favourite “Not Enough” and the album is wholly acoustic. The lack of drums frees Mascis up to filling the space with his guitar and orchestration, and creates a more relaxed and fulfilling aural experience.


The title-track of the album soars above the orchestration below it. “Gone at it the wrong way, thought I’d find it but I missed it”, there’s a regret in his lyrics but also a eye looking forward. It’s uplifting stuff and quietly cathartic. His finger work is unsurprisingly exceptional, but he never overcomplicates anything and often lets the music talk for itself.
The stand-out track on the album is the single, “Not Enough”. “Can we be loved? Can we be all those things you said to me?”, it’s a love song which lingers in the mind as the melody melts into your emotions. “Is it Done” strums along, Mascis’ lyrics asking questions and providing answers at the climax of the song, musically and lyrically.

The main theme of this album is love and the loneliness it often leads one to. However, it isn’t angst riddled, it’s an incredibly humane record. It’s a record to listen to while you smoke and drink in the garden with your group of friends. It’s a record with a smile about love and it’s pitfalls. It’s melancholy without being depressing. Mascis strikes an ideal blend of emotions with his lyrical and musical content. The orchestration and style of “Make It Right”, gives a psychedelic-country feel to the music. The other tracks follow the same formula, and it’s a fantastic formula which whispers and soars consistently.

Mascis has created a charming record. His guitar sounds like the relief you have when you split up with someone alongside the love you still have for that person. Dripping with bittersweet regret, this is heartfelt stuff. There’s not really a single weak track on this album. Perhaps the only criticism you could level is that it stays on much the same pace and the songs individually never sound terribly different from another on the album. However, this just proves to show that this album is coherent and a very solid product. It’s honest, understated and a very, very good collection of songs.