J. Mascis

Elastic Days sub pop Former Dinosaur Jr. mainman’s long stretch.

J. Mascis will probably never again write anything that exudes the effervescent glee of Freak Scene or Start Choppin’, but then that youthful zip has left most of us. On Elastic Days Mascis sounds reflective and rested, age suiting that nasal, lackadaisical whine of a voice.

In a way he’s come full circle, returning to some of the folksier elements of Dinosaur Jr’s 1985 debut, before the band really cranked the amps on the posthardcore monster You’re Living All Over Me. For the most part

it’s just Mascis on acoustic guitar and drums, throwing in electric when required and roping in the occasional guest vocal to keep the pot gently simmering. Much of it’s lovely, from the relaxed, melodic strumalong title track to… well, the relaxed, melodic strumalong of just about everything else.

It’s the kind of album that makes you think there’s nothing wrong with the world. And that’s worth celebrating.