Wakin On a Pretty Daze

“Take your time, so they say, and that’s probably the best way to be,” Kurt Vile mumbles on “Too Hard,” one of the more atmospheric tracks on Walking on a Pretty Daze. Following his own advice, he meanders without losing focus across these 11 stellar songs. His textured and spacious sound highlights the interplay between melodic, fingerpicked acoustic passages and warm electric tones, his solos gently expanding and contracting. “Shame Chamber” is catchy and relatively compact at just less than five minutes, while several standout tracks roam between eight and 10 minutes. The long form suits him, as “Walking on a Pretty Day” and “Goldtone” attest. Vile drops pearls of wisdom and sly quips patiently as if he needs extra time to work out what he wants to say. Such wandering makes multiple listens even more rewarding, and his ability to keep listeners engaged testifies to his singular brilliance. Don’t let the slackerish delivery fool you; this introvert has plenty to say. “I might be adrift, but I’m still alert,” as he puts it. He’s a loner, but a relatable one, and on his fifth solo release in six years he continues to craft a musical universe all his own.