If Will Butler was an original, new solo artist — and not a founding member of Arcade Fire — it would be quite difficult to place him in any old genre box solely based on his debut release “Policy.” It’s all over the place. The “indie” classification would probably be as narrow as we could get. Or perhaps “nostalgic,” because at least half the songs on this eight-track release pay homage to eclipsed musical eras.
Let’s tackle the first three tracks on “Policy.” Butler kicks off the show with “Take My Side,” a punkish, fuzzy garage tune. It’s a great starting track and also something that might have been written in the late 1970s heydays of The Clash. “Anna” follows next, a quietly bumping track that exudes mid-’80s minimalistic synths and an occasional burst of high-pitched vocals. It is mysteriously dark and cynical under those upbeat synths, and it is easily the standout track on “Policy” (and no, there is no bias because this writer and the song share the same name).
From there, we are transported to “Finish What I Started,” which could well have come out of Noel Gallagher’s recipe book. The nods to ’90s British mellow sentiments are alive and well, although it almost seems that some Elliott Smith influences seep through the cracks in this drastically more personal tune.
But it goes on like that. For the rest of the album, Butler drops in on some more modern sounds but continues to weave a musical quilt of mellow, upbeat, cynical, relaxing. “Something’s Coming” is the most experimental track on the album, influenced by so many styles that it morphs into something completely different, strange yet fun (albeit after a listen or two).
In the weeks prior to the album’s release, Butler partnered with “The Guardian” to write a song per day, for seven days, based on headlines in the paper. The exercise demonstrated his flexibility as a musician, and it follows through strong on “Policy.” Butler is a bit like your friend with “song A.D.D” who keeps skipping songs before they’re over on his shuffle playlist. But this is also versatility — of beats, melodies, lyrics and especially moods.
“Policy” seems to go in so many unrelated directions, only tied by that underlying, convincing essence that things are not all as plainly cheery or plainly mellow as you may think. This darkness isn’t depressing; it’s subtle and full of cynicism. “Tell me what you want baby, and I will get it/though it might take three to five business days, maybe longer,” sings Butler on the catchy “What I Want.”
Dark definitely doesn’t prevent humor, then, and focusing too much on the melodies will let some bizarre lyrical nuggets slip by. “If you come and take my hand, I will buy you a pony / We can cook it for supper / I know a great recipe for pony macaroni,” Butler convinces us later on in the song. (“What I Want” is also one of the only tracks that bears a direct resemblance to the Arcade Fire vibe.)
That’s not to say that “Policy” is completely unique from Butler’s usual work. It’s just messier, less crisp and more careless in a purposeful sort of way. It also doesn’t breed much of that intellectual pomp n’ roll that Arcade Fire has become recognized for. But comparisons to Arcade Fire almost seem unnecessary. Butler’s policies are his own and should be viewed as such. They are raw and satisfying, and in a culture saturated with “thematic” albums, it feels refreshing to listen to an album with such drastic differences in style.
True, not all the songs will remain memorable, but “Policy” explodes with an unrestrained disorganization that is truly enjoyable while it lasts.
“Policy” is out on March 10 on Merge Records and is available to stream on Spotify.
