“If it ain’t tragedy, how can it be true?” asks Wil Cope in opening his sophomore LP with “Fallin’ Out of Love.” Like 2011’s Sunset Craves, these are low-down, gutter-tumbled ballads hinging on the singer’s nasal drawl, but there’s an ineffable charm and undeniably sharp songwriting buried in the raw, no-fi production. The desert-dusted psych of “End of the Bed (End of the World)” and last call slur “Past the Night” sink into Cope’s spectrum of restlessness and regret.

***


This article appears in June 28 • 2019.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

SUPPORT US

Doug Freeman has been writing for the Austin Chronicle since 2007, covering the arts and music scene in the city. He is originally from Virginia and earned his Masters Degree from the University of Texas. He is also co-editor of The Austin Chronicle Music Anthology, published by UT Press.