Oliver Earnest - The Water Goes the Other Way (2021)

It is astonishing which references all come to mind when you listen to the debut album of Oliver Earnest for the first time. Omaha is still quite vivid, and above all, Bright Eyes or Cursive. You think of the Mountain Goats, and while you’re at it, of John Darnielle, and with him, one of the best songwriters of all time. You tip your hat to Isaac Brock from Modest Mouse in your mind’s eye. And when it gets quieter, more ethereal, you’re not all too far from the ballads of the Fleet Foxes or even from sitting down at a candlelit table with Iron and Wine. When Oliver does let the pathos of his voice sound, one is quickly at The Divine Comedy, and when you immerse yourself in the lyrics, several wonderful scenes from everyday life emerge, which could just as well be straight out of a Jim Jarmusch film. Well, this is where it’s suddenly obvious: There are no German bands or artists at all on this list? And, they’re all big names? So you ask yourself: How is this even possible? For a young guy from Stuttgart who was known by insiders previously perhaps at some time as a member of the post punk band Kaufmann Frust?