Photo Credit: Hannah Gray Hall
Written by: Jane Grounds
Julia Gomez is a new voice in the Nashville indie music scene. Building momentum over the year by releasing five singles off of their upcoming LP, Gomez’s anticipated debut Aren’t We All So Incomplete arrives Friday—featuring soulful, sultry, pseudo-grunge tracks that bend and fuse familiar genres into something exciting and new.
The album features 12 tracks, each written and produced by Julia Gomez herself.
“Late Summer” is the strong start to the album, beginning with an easy flow of drums, guitars, and Gomez’s vocals, which have an easy and calming Sinéad O'Connor lilt. The chorus is propelled effortlessly by layers of sound and a steady beat. Reminiscent of Willow Smith and Lana Del Ray, it’s clear to discern where Gomez finds their inspiration.
“Rapid Eye Movement” has an entirely different sound, beginning with a twangy one-note melody instead of chords that introduce the sensual voice Gomez utilizes in this track. “Your sweet talk is my medicine,” as Gomez croons in this vulnerable piece of music, speaks to the listeners who have experienced having their attention and emotions completely transfixed by one person.
The music of “DoomsDay Lover” evokes feelings of a nostalgic summer, while the lyrics discuss the possibility of the world ending and wanting someone to share those last moments with. There seems to be a rapidly increasing number of “apocalypses” plaguing the world currently, so having a “DoomsDay Lover” may be a glimpse at our near future.
Photo Credit: Hannah Gray Hall
The title track of the album, “Aren’t We All So Incomplete,” is a more upbeat piece of music with an inspiring message: everyone is worried about feeling inferior and less than others, but deep down, we all feel that way, so why not rejoice in the shared human experience.
“How Far It Goes” begins with a gentle strumming of a guitar and has a definite indie feel at the beginning. The vocals bring a bit of a rock sound to the track, blending two popular genres into one composition. Wandering down the road of life and wondering where it goes is something most people experience, with varying emotions at the prospect. Some people find going with the flow to be a dreadful thought, while others marvel at all life can throw their way.
“Cry Over You” is an anthem for people moving on from a relationship. “Got too much to do, to cry over you” is the chorus hook that speaks to listeners who are focusing on themselves rather than dwelling on the past.
“Your Girl” has a similar guitar movement to those of late 80’s grunge movies. You can easily picture this track scrolling over the end credits or during a montage of an angsty teen movie. Another of Gomez’s inspirations is Joan Jett, who this track effortlessly honors. “Your Girl” is a sexually empowering song that increases the confidence of anyone lucky enough to come across this track.
“Darling, I’m terrified” is an instant hook as the first lyrics of the track “Freak Me Out.” The song utilizes downbeats and pauses extremely well, drawing the audience into the world of the music.
“Radar” begins with vocalizations that introduce the song to the listener, with drums eventually coming in under Gomez’s voice. A soothing song about a difficult experience allows the listener to feel the pain that sometimes comes with being a hopeless romantic.
Photo Credit: Hannah Gray Hall
“Too Pretty To Smoke” tells a story of a narrator coming of age and realizing they have become a hypocrite.
“Night Drive” is a sensual song that harkens back to more indie and psychedelic rock bands like Tame Impala and The Doors. Julia Gomez embodies sexual empowerment in many of their songs, “Night Drive” included.
“Experience It” is the finale of Julia Gomez’s exciting debut album. It is an introspective, thought-provoking song that ties the album together nicely, allowing you to realize the variety of genres that Gomez has so neatly and creatively tied together.
Overall, Julia Gomez’s debut album is an intentionally crafted genre-bending treat to the ears. Coming of Age, Hopeless Romanticism, and Sexual Empowerment are themes that are thread through the album that allow the listener to experience self-acceptance through difficult premises. Human emotions are nothing to be ashamed of, and Julia Gomez leads the charge of being brutally honest with yourself and the world.
Julia Gomez is performing shows all around Nashville, TN. Find dates and locations below, and more from Julia Gomez here.
Photo courtesy of Julia Gomez
Aren’t We All So Incomplete Tracklist:
DoomsDay Lover
Aren’t We All So Incomplete
How Far It Goes
Freak Me Out
Radar
Too Pretty To Smoke
Experience It