Jim Laczkowski - Hold On

Jim Laczkowski draws on decades of knowledge, distilling it into genuine optimism and hope for the world in “Hold On.” Laczkowski has been working in the music realm since the early 2000s, and it shows. Within the deceptively simple arrangements is a great deal of depth. A nice, communal sense of spirit permeates the whole experience, for each track builds off the last. By taking the album together as a unified, coherent work, it becomes a true thing of pure poetry, of searching for optimism amid so much darkness in the world. He offers a respite from the coldness that surrounds people, the anger that consumes them, and presents a different way forward. Given his location in Chicago, a place that’s truly come together in the past two years and a place I call home, it is doubly refreshing to experience.

Reference points abound within the thoughtful, intelligent, and celebratory little rays of sunshine. The childlike sense of wonder that ties the album together feels highly reminiscent of Beat Happening’s warm, welcoming demeanor. Much like that output, there’s an adherence to a pop format while possessing a contemplative cadence. A whimsical quality to the lyrics, half-lullaby and half-exploration of what surrounds us, makes it akin to They Might Be Giants’ work. It has a careful quality. He expresses empathy for those downtrodden as it looks away from the dreary ground, the celestial, and towards the sky, which presents a moment of hope, something to really aim for. Vocals go for a quality akin to the Mountain Goats’ John Darnielle. Word choice takes inspiration from Darnielle’s ability to craft an entire lifetime within a few minutes, and that is on display throughout Hold On. For all these reference points, Laczkowski creates a unique worldview and sound that feels classic while simultaneously perfect for this moment.

The acoustic plucks are suspended for the first few seconds of “please talk.” When his voice enters the fray, the song’s soul is laid bare. He invites the listener into a conversation with him, and this conversational tone persists over the rest of the album. Light, bright keyboards flutter through “someone to hold” with the song’s positivity becoming infectious. A nice framing of a neat little domestic life shows the bliss that comes from little moments shared together. On “safe space (we’re not dead)” the track focuses on what we can do right as each tomorrow emerges with its own sad scenarios. We can be angry; in fact, it would be weird not to be, but continuing through this slog is what we can do until the opportunity for something better emerges. Western country twang ambles into a graceful gait on “saturday (sparklehorse).” A fine cover, it taps into the spirit of the original in the dreamy poetry of it all. Bass anchors the heartbeat of “break the pattern.”

“a few minutes” has a careful quality. He navigates the vast expanse. A love song sung to someone specific, it almost feels voyeuristic to listen to. Great work, stripped to the essentials, “lake in my brain” is an incredibly earnest piece. No lies detected, nor could they be. Production quality conveys this sense of being there right there with him, right down to some of the unexpected outside sounds in the background that breathe additional life into it. Such fire and passion emerge on the spirited duet of “keeping me inside (feat. aaron & marissa).” They pour all of themselves into the sound, and it is downright cathartic. Buildup has a theatrical flair. Piano work stuns, able to conjure up muscle with a single instrument. Laczkowski’s previous work in the shoegaze and dream pop genres comes through with the hushed awe of “out there (cold alone).” Sounding like a slowcore track from the ‘90s, there’s pure sincerity to each second. His vulnerability makes “say yes (elliott smith)” another highlight. The hushed delivery and low-key aesthetics feel captivating, as he manages to do so much with only a handful of ingredients, an emotional minimalism. Ending things on a soothing note is the expansive, expressive finale of “by moonlight.”

“Hold On” presents the power of Jim Laczkowski’s storytelling and world-building, resulting in this gorgeous atmosphere that is a joy to get lost in.