Dawson Gool’s Latest Navigates Nostalgia and Appreciation For Memories
BY DANY MIRELESDawson Gool’s latest EP “Bark Mulch” is a collection of tracks that navigate the nostalgia and discomfort of one’s hometown. With the title track mixed by Phillip Weinrobe, known for his work with Adrianne Lenker, Gool sets the tone for a record that is equal parts homesick ballad and cathartic memories of the past.
The EP explores the conflict between growing up in a "run-of-the-mill small town" and learning to enjoy once problematic memories. Gool's composition is highly personal, allowing listeners to enter his world, where sports and pickup songs were all he knew, but the emotional meaning pushed those past their limits.
The track "Dogs Private" evokes a sense of closeness and recall, with its delicate guitar tone and quiet vocals. “Walking back early from the bus stop / I think of things that you say / Back when I was your age we’d walk to school / Uphill both ways” suggest a moment of contemplation, hinting at a past childhood memory or just the simple fact of thinking about someone’s words indicate a longing or deep emotional impact.
“Bark Mulch” has a gentle drum rhythm and a quiet guitar that compliments the singer's soft voice to create an excellent experience for the listener. The build-up of the song is the outstanding aspect of the track since it can create an out of body experience for the listener.
“Waving softly / Come grab me / Falling, freezing, melting on me” suggest a call to be noticed, as if the singer fears getting left behind, the lyrics give out the idea of depicting holding onto a connection, while simultaneously slipping away.
“Tall” is a reflection and the complexities of returning to one’s hometown and observing the changes of the places and the people you once used to know. The song delves into themes of personal growth and the bittersweet feeling of revisiting familiar grounds. “But you stand so tall / It's a wonder I could ever see at all” reflects admiration for the individual’s resilience while exploring a sense of personal misunderstanding in the past.
Dawson Gool’s debut US/Canada tour runs from February 21 to March 7, and it is the perfect opportunity for audiences to experience these emotional songs in a live setting, bringing their nature to fully bloom. For those who have just started listening or long time fans, the singer’s EP is a must listen. It has the perfect ability to capture the beauty, frustration, and the unexpected of looking back, proving that sometimes it’s okay to step away to understand where you came from.