Hailing from Houston, TX, and currently based in Woodstock, Blair Baldwin doesn’t waste any time to make first impressions with her aptly titled debut record Proof of Life. The opening track “nice” sets the precedent for Baldwin’s freshman EP, introducing her unique brand of energetic hard rock. A frenetic drum fill kicks things off, and right away we’re rockin’–heck, even rollin’. In come Blair’s vocals, characterized by a punk rock, take-no-shit attitude: “I’d like to tell you a story / About the biggest scammer in history / I’d like to tell you a cautionary tale / … This is my battle cry in my birthplace / Born in this life, in this hellscape.” Provided the context of the current state of the world (*gestures to, well, everything*), the cynicism feels appropriate and refreshing–we welcome it. I’m sure everyone has had those intrusive thoughts of kicking the absolute shit out of some out-of-touch CEO or rich douchebag–some personified scapegoat of all that’s wrong with society–who parasitically benefits from the suffering of others. No, just me? Well, this album serves as the perfect soundtrack to kick some elitist ass. In this day and age where these leeches will lunge at any opportunity to take advantage of you, being nice just won’t cut it.
Sonically speaking, the belting vocals conjure Karen O in Yeah Yeah Yeah’s Fever to Tell era, and the guitar tones remind me of The Black Keys’ Attack and Release (back when they were good and didn’t make Ford commercial music). The production quality is excellent, thanks to producers Matt Graff and Alex Nolan of The Koop Studios in Irvington. Nolan just wrapped the Las Vegas run of the Girls Just Wanna Have Fun tour with Cyndi Lauper.
Tempo-wise, the record has a satisfying flow throughout. Most of the songs are upbeat, teetering between mid- and high-tempo ranges, up until the fourth song “war machine,” which slows things down to take a moment to ruminate on the vicious cycle of violence that seems to grease the gears of the dystopia we find ourselves in.
Baldwin released the fifth track “WUT?” as a single back in March. While I like all the songs on the album, I think this was a great choice to exemplify the general tone of defiance and independence, as well as the undeniably catchy rock riffs and hooks that distinguish Baldwin’s sound and craft. The final song “i don’t need it” starts off slow and pensive, and then…the drop–distorted guitars and driving bass and drums transform the song into a powerful ballad about knowing what you want and rejecting all the bullshit being forced upon you.
This album pulsates with dynamic force and a gratifying fuck-you-I-won’t-do-what-you-tell-me energy, effectively serving as Baldwin’s initial testament, her proof of life, if you will. Definitely give the record a full listen!
Blair Baldwin’s streaming and social links:
Buy the album on Bandcamp:
See Blair Baldwin live at an upcoming show:
- 5/30 – Album Release Show @ Snugs – New Paltz, NY
- 6/12 – Tinker Street Tavern – Woodstock, NY
- 6/27 – Beacon Pride Event @ Industrial Arts Brewing Co. – Beacon, NY
- 7/4 – Tinker Street Tavern – Woodstock, NY
- 8/8 – Snugs – New Paltz, NY
-Review written by James Kwapisz
Leave a Reply