Vagabon – Sorry I Haven’t Called
Sorry I Haven't Called could easily have been wrapped up in misery, but instead it’s a pleasure to hear Vagabon stepping bravely into a happy place
Sorry I Haven’t Called is the latest in Laetitia Tamko’s series of majestic reinventions under the moniker Vagabon. Born out of a state of grief upon the passing of her best friend in 2021, this album is not premised on sorrow but instead delineates a pathway to joy.
Tamko’s songwriting is as impactful as ever, with tracks like Can I Talk My Shit? and You Know How standing among her very best. On Autobahn, Tamko ponders upon how to navigate a new relationship: 'You understand me / When I call on you / When I stare through you / And I know where you stand'. Snippets of laughter roll into one another as a touching ballad unfolds, led by her soft voice duetting with a gorgeous organ.
The rigid strumming of a warm acoustic guitar drives down the home strait of the record on Anti-Fuck as the track pushes into fuzzier territory promising tragedy but it stops short, and all of a sudden there is relief, there is room to breathe. This album could easily have been wrapped up in misery and the trope of the tortured artist, but instead it’s a pleasure to hear Tamko stepping bravely into a happy place.
Listen to: Autobahn, Made Out With Your Best Friend, Can I Talk My Shit?