Dent May's enticing crooning and syncopated rhythms were what grabbed the attention of his current record label, Paw Tracks, and sparked his musical breakout in the debut album, The Good Feeling Music Of Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele. His latest venture into lofty psychedelic pop drifts away from his initial throwback aesthetic. Instead, the music on Warm Blanket focuses on sticky melodies and more refined instrumentals that are, for the most part, enhanced by May's simplistic vocal work. However, the struggle for this album seems to rest in the fact that May fails to demonstrate any considerable emotional connection to his lyrics.
Clearly, Dent May is no stranger to socially opposed oddities or discerning representations when it comes to his music, but it came as a surprise to learn his latest album was recorded inside of a supposed haunted house. The music created within the ghostly Florida compound is described by Paw Tracks as "A delightful mix of organic textures, analog synth squiggles, inventive vocal melodies, and sincere word play." While much of that statement holds true, such as the protruding synth elements, there is still a gross exaggeration when it comes to the sincere wordplay.
The first single from Warm Blanket delivers May's indistinguishable desire to have been born in a different generation, preferably the 70's."Born Too Late" is one of the few cases where the lyrics genuinely represent heavy-hitting emotion. May digs deep to discuss his personal conflicts with heartfelt lyrics of "Born too late to tell you that I love you, baby. It ain't right I don't sleep at night." Lyrically, Dent May is stuck in the past, often describing his dissatisfaction with modern society. It's in songs "Let Them Talk" and "Summer Is Over" where cleverly composed hooks drive the songs only to be squandered away by frail lyrics deeming the entire songs irrelevant and forgettable.
If there's any hope for Dent May to change his viewpoint on today's current worldly situation "Ready to Be Old" would be its focal point. His lyrics are riddled with May's scanty optimism: "I think the future will feel much better than I feel now" If one thing is clear it is that Dent May knows that his strength is in addicting hooks and spot on vocals, however, his album also showcases the need for more complex, emotion driven tracks.
Grade: C+
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