Saint Nick the Lesser’s Growing up, growing out undergoes another life you may have passed by and leaves you feeling lighter for it. Right out of the gate, “21 Minutes” pulls no punches. Sparkling, glistening acoustic guitars lay out a deceptively soothing bed while his deep voice calmly walks you through a scene of suicidal resolve, as if narrating a grocery list. It’s unnervingly casual, but that’s what makes it hit harder—especially when the narrative pivots from razor blades and locked doors to a raw life-affirming plea, “Don’t do it, ’cause you’re worth it.”
Then, just when you think you’ve caught your breath, “Cassandra” drifts in with soft guitars and a low, grief-soaked vocal that swells into rage mid-song. The strings haunt, weaving underneath his voice until they’re thrashing together in a knot of anguish towards the end. It’s punching drywall, screaming at the sky, and bargaining with a God you’re not sure exists. By the end, when he repeats her name like a wound he can’t stop touching, you’re right there in the ache with him.
But he saves a glimmer of light for the closer, “The Tunnel.” It starts with that slow, uncertain walk, each lyric a step in the dark, until the drums crash in like a rescue party and cymbals splash sparks in the black. His voice gets bigger, more defiant, until it’s practically marching you toward the light, chanting “C’mon, c’mon, c’mon” like the world’s most ragged pep rally.
This album drags you out of the muddy pit, kicking and limping, toward something better. Listen to Growing up, growing out by Saint Nick the Lesser on Spotify.
STAY IN TOUCH:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP | TIKTOK | WEBSITE | YOUTUBE
Review by: Naomi Joan