Jim Lawrie, former drummer of indie band Eagle and the Worm, is an artist I’m adding to my list of musicians who I wish I’d heard of earlier. We’ve all had these moments: maybe it’s when your friends introduce you to Elliott Smith for the first time or when you somehow stumble on an underground band from the other side of the world after clicking copious amounts of Instagram profiles and random hashtags. I’m making up for lost time with Lawrie’s newly released second album Eons continuously on repeat.
Jim Lawrie’s sophomore album Eons is a triumph for the former Eagle and the Bird drummer.
Previously known as ‘Grizzly Jim Lawrie’ (which you may know from The Smith Street Band’s song Fuck Me & Call Me Jim Lawrie where they make the reference “Call me your big grizzly bear”), the Melbourne singer-songwriter dropped the ‘Grizzly’ upon releasing Eons. His second album dropped on 16 February, shortly after he made appearances at Falls Festival and Southbound.
The 10-track album is calming and refreshing; as each of the songs takes you on a deep journey coaxed in Lawrie’s mature lyrics. The clarity of the music further proves that Lawrie is all grown up and able to portray his developed confidence and songwriting skills. He’s more than just a stickman.
Opening with the six and a half minute track Falling Stars, Lawrie emphasises the new direction he is taking for his solo works, as the heavier instrumentation and build up of synths, guitars, keys and drums pronounce quite a difference from his previous album, Paying My Debts From the Grave, which focused on the lone acoustic sound. There’s also scattered but dominant outbursts of trumpets, which despite adding to the ensemble, don’t overpower the charming lyrical work of Jim.
A powerfully resonating lyric on the album can be found on the sixth track Spare Change, as Lawrie sings “You’re my spare change; the only time I reach for you I’m desperate”. The songs guide you through a nostalgic mindset as it urges you to jump in a car and begin your road trip along the coast, windows down, music loud; the track Good Old Days especially. It’s a similar vibe you get from a band like Boy & Bear.
On Eons, Lawrie has coaxed a deeply and hypnotically relaxing incense smoke of sounds that, if you’re not wary, will send you into a haze for days.
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