Tristen is the indie pop project of Nashville, Tennessee-based singer-songwriter Tristen Gaspadarek, who has been making idiosyncratic tunes for about two decades, together with her creative and life partner Buddy Hughen. Unpopular Music is album number five, and my initial thought was that the title must be false modesty—most of the acts we write about have far fewer listeners. For Tristen, however, it’s a life goal: “I feel an intellectual responsibility to be unpopular. I love unpopular music. Abstract lyrics, beautiful melodies wrapped with warm-sounding instrumentation. I love unpopular themes that encompass difficult emotions and ambivalence. The kind of cultural critiques that stir and address our discomfort. So let the good times roll, and may your unpopularity be your badge of knowingness.”

Still, I wouldn’t be surprised if this new release only increases Tristen’s fan base, not only because obscurity or independence are coveted badges in this day and age where likes seem to be more important than the truth, but even more so because it simply has a very appealing sound. The ten songs here enchant in melody and vocals, in lyrics and confidence, in instrumentation and emotion. It’s easy to love Unpopular Music.

Unpopular Music—produced by Tristen Gaspadarek and Buddy Hughen—is out now digitally, on CD and vinyl LP, through Well Kept Secret. Featuring Tristen Gaspadarek (vocals, guitars, piano, organ, percussion), Buddy Hughen (guitars, bass, piano, synth, pump organ, percussion, drum programming), and Andy Spore (drums), with Linwood Regensberg (bass), James Haggerty (bass), Pat Sansone (Wurlitzer, mellotron), Vanessa Carlton (keys), Erin Rae (background vocals), Becca Mancari (background vocals), Michaela Anne (background vocals), and Natalie Prass (background vocals) guesting on select tracks.

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