Localized Music: Azita's How Will You?
In the recent buildup to avant-garde veteran Azita Youssefi’s first new album, How Will You?, the 37-year-old musician remarked that she wanted her previous record, 2004’s Life On The Fly, to sound like “audio cocaine”—meaning that the music would be upbeat and assertive. If that's the case, then How Will You? starts out like audio Ambien. The first few songs on the new album brush along with polite piano-and-guitar-based balladry. The jaunty title track, resembling both vintage doo-wop and Heart Of Gold-era Neil Young, emerges as the album’s first noteworthy track.
All of these songs are pleasant enough. But then, How Will You? shifts its musical direction with three tracks that represent a fuller-sounding prog-pop ecstasy (“Things Gone Wrong,” “Come William,” and “Lullbye,” which makes especially good use of Azita’s expressive, Nico-esque vocals). In light of this excellent triumvirate, the previous songs can’t help but become retrospectively mundane. A patient buildup in music is certainly appreciated, but it's puzzling why this doesn't feel as natural as it should. Ultimately, How Will You?’s contentment is fine, but its transcendent material is better. Grade: B-
