Review: Mac Demarco – Salad Days

BY CAMILA SOSA

Rarely do we see an underground artist who breaks through into the semi-mainstream and still manages to maintain a nonchalant persona, but Mac Demarco might just be the exception. 23-year-old Demarco emerged into the pop-dominated music industry playing surfy tunes reminiscent of the 70’s and 80’s and producing outrageous music videos/stage performances in the process. On his third album, Salad Days, Demarco is consistent in creating a psychedelic sound and charismatic persona. While a big change like this would mean trouble for other artists, Demarco plays it safe by staying true to the antics that initially granted him success, giving us just a peek at a different sound.

Salad Days, as is implied by the name, is a tribute to the folly of youth and the constant struggle of growing up. So if there is anything Demarco really embraces in Salad Days it’s his whimsical sound, which contributes to an overall melancholy theme. It’s one psychedelic tune after another leaving a listener torn between falling into a deep sleep and busting out with some groovy dance moves. Still, beside the delicate chords and dreamy atmospheric sound, Demarco writes some well-constructed lyrics some of which certainly resemble a maturing Mac. He abandons topics like cigarettes and lounging around as he becomes a lot more self-aware. Songs like “Passing Out Pieces” and “Blue Boy” revolve around growing up, as the nostalgic undertones reveal Demarco’s tendency to cling on to his “salad days” instead of letting them go.

But don’t worry the goofy man-child we originally loved isn’t about to dissolve into a wave of maturity. Demarco gives us a dose of classic defiance with “Goodbye Weekend” where he blatantly tells everyone to leave him alone and let him do as he pleases. He even mocks “country boys” for being “easily controlled.” In “Brother,” Demarco reflects on the all too common scenario of rebellious youth turned disillusioned adulthood, when he advises a workingman to “abandon his nine to five life” and simply “go home.”

To keep a keen balance, Mac throws in some lighthearted, puppy love tunes, which are never a miss. Demarco is not by any means handsome, in fact he’s grimy and gap toothed, but he’s got an inexplicable charm.  He melts hearts with lyrics like “I was made to love her, been working at it half of my life, I’ve been an addict” in “Let My Baby Stay.” As if he weren’t endearing enough Demarco adds songs like “Treat Her Better” and “Let Her Go” standing up for women in relationships with unappreciative guys.

Mac Demarco’s impeccable balance between immature man and talented, mature musician is evident in both of his previous albums. Salad Days doesn’t bring any big surprises, despite the slightly more introspective lyrics, but it does strengthen how cool Demarco is by exactly one album. Befittingly, Salad Days was officially released on April 1st.