We’ve gotten to know New York City artist/musician Jeffrey Lewis well over the past 25 years or so, but never before has he laid himself bare as much as he does on his latest album—both literally (naked in the cover photo, along with Chrissy Howland) and figuratively (the lyrics are not only quick-witted but also quite personal). The title and design of The Even More Freewheelin’ Jeffrey Lewis ostentatiously nod to The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, although in terms of content it is more related to the work of Lou Reed.
The ten self-penned songs—garage punk in an indie folk disguise—excel in inimitable and idiosyncratic storytelling (“But if you act like an artist, then it makes you an artist // If you act like a sleazeball, then it makes you a sleaze”—from the fascinating opening track Do What Comes Natural), and keep you glued to your speakers for over 41 minutes. Also worth mentioning are DCB & ARS (a fairy tale about songwriter David Cloud Berman and writer Amy Rose Spiegel), Movie Date (some find it hard to stay awake), and Sometimes Life Hits You (“Ow, fuck, that hurt”), but actually unfiltered honesty and unexpected beauty lurk around every corner.
The Even More Freewheelin’ Jeffrey Lewis—produced by Roger Moutenot—is out now digitally, on CD and vinyl LP, through Blang Records (EU/UK) and Don Giovanni Records (Canada/US). Featuring Jeffrey Lewis (guitars, vocals), Mem Pahl (bass, vocals), Mallory Feuer (violin, keyboard, vocals), and Brent Cole (drums, vocals).