NIck Janowicz - I Get better at growing up everyday

Nick Janowicz

I Get Better At Growing Up Everyday
self-released; 2013

3.9 out of 5

Hailing from a small seaside town in Massachusetts, Nick Janowicz has a background in louder music with his former band The Wicked, but he eventually ended up trading amplifiers and distortion pedals for the warm and organic feel of acoustic guitars, self-producing his delicate blend of indie-folk out of his room. I Get Better at Growing Up Everyday is a really fitting title for Janowicz’ debut EP. It is simple and direct, yet poetic and nostalgic, not unlike the songs featured on the recording. After a brief instrumental intro “Up and Away”, the EP begins with the folky ballad "Anchors,” putting the true stars under the spotlight acoustic guitar and vocals. A soft, yet full melody fits perfectly with the gentle, but brave vocal style. Xylophone, backing vocals and organ add a pleasant and fulfilling color, without overshadowing the main elements, keeping the feel intimate.

"I Do" brings a little more rhythm and groove as the shaker keeps the tempo and the bluesy guitar riffs bring something different into the mix. But the true hotspot here is "Old", a heartfelt acoustic ballad with disarmingly honest lyrics, whispered softly, in a vocal style that kind of reminds me of Ben Gibbard (Death Cab For Cutie/ The Postal Service).  The only thing I found a little out of place was the spoken word track in the middle of the EP, "The Seminar.” The content is really interesting, but I think that the way it was put there in the middle of the record clashes with the whole, sweet vibe of the EP. Variation is a great thing, but on a short EP like this one, I would have gone for something maybe a little subtler. It could have maybe worked better at the end or as some sort of hidden/bonus track, like they used to do a few years back; when you noticed that a file's playing time was actually longer than the song's actual playing time. In the end, this little EP is a remarkable work, and another reminder of how much an artist with a driving motivation can achieve, making music that could rival major productions right out of his bedroom.

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