Lou Barlow

★★★★ Reason To Live JOYFUL NOISE. CD/DL/LP

Latest lo-fi dispatches from Dinosaur/Sebadoh man chronicle domestic bliss. While Barlow’s 4-track recorder has, over the years, paid unflinching witness to his darkest moments and some pretty gruelling music, this latest collection reflects his newfound equilibrium as father, husband and stable bandmate. While some tracks here grew from songs Barlow began as a teenager, there’s a mature confidence to Reason

To Live, the desolate chill and bared nerves of songs like Poledo replaced by warmth and insight, as Barlow sings of forgiveness (Love Intervene), of rejuvenating love (Paws), of childhood memories (Maumee). The frankness of yore remains intact, but his focus has shifted, and the intimacy that once sometimes made Barlow’s solo work a white knuckle ride now amplifies the tranquility of these strums. The imperfectly perfect pop of Privatize’s hazy Byrdsian tangle and the keening, yearning uncertainty of Tempted are up there with Barlow’s best.