Label: Caroline International / NUA Entertainment
Released: July 29th 2016
Rating: ★★★★
Mike Kinsella has a history of influence. From Cap’n Jazz to American Football, he’s played a part in defining entire scenes and while ‘The King of Whys’, his ninth solo album as Owen, dwells on the past, it never gets tied down with nostalgia.
Instead the reflection is mirrored in the now. As beautiful and haunting as you’d expect, Owen still finds space to surprise. Just when you think you’ve figured out the exposure at play, songs like ‘A Burning Soul’ cry, “in his defense, he never asked to be born,” as Owen makes and breaks your heart all over again. Ali Shutler
