dodie – Not For Lack of Trying
On her latest album, dodie offers a cosy, well-crafted record that occasionally retreads the same paths
dodie’s latest album, Not For Lack of Trying, stands as an intimate and tender follow-up to her 2021 debut, Build a Problem. Soft piano and muted guitar strokes thread throughout the record, accentuating her wistful vocals. The production is immaculate, but many of the songs follow a similar arc: gentle strumming on acoustic guitar swelling into a fuller sound of strings and vocal harmonies. Over time, this predictability undermines the album's impact, especially in the slower second half.
Amid this, Smart Girl establishes itself as an early highlight, an emotional rollercoaster with intense and explosive string tremolo. Tall Kids is a melancholy ballad where dodie’s emotive vocals reach their peak, accompanied by a pulsing undercurrent of warm piano. One of the pre-release singles, I Feel Bad For You, Dave (accompanied by a music video featuring Jeff Goldblum), is a coquettish and playful bossa-style number that highlights dodie’s skills for musical narrative storytelling.
The album’s mood is consistently gentle and pensive, produced with purpose and intent. For newcomers, it may feel too uniform to stand out. But for longtime fans, Not For Lack of Trying offers cosy autumnal listening and a continued exploration of dodie’s style.
Listen to: Smart Girl, Tall Kids, I Feel Bad For You, Dave