Uncertainty, disappointment, anger, and numbness have become commonplace descriptors for life in the 21st century. Ottawa-based rock band Touch Grass offers a beautiful exploration of these complex emotions in their debut EP, This Pretty Agony. The songs are sung and written by Adam Blasl, who is accompanied by Cameron McGetrick on bass, producer of the EP Flynn Graham on guitar, Abigail White on vocals, and Luka Eriksen on bassoon, all supported by the strong percussion of Bradley Lapensée. While Blasl is the songwriter, all members contributed to the musical direction of the EP.
This Pretty Agony takes listeners on a journey through six songs about struggling to find purpose in an overwhelming world. The first song, “Reason,” invites listeners to reflect with Blasl as he contemplates meaning and motivation. His sombre plea for a reason to live is contrasted by the light and playful instrumentation, suggesting a more hopeful attitude: Purpose is something that exists and can be found.
Touch Grass introduces the duality of emotions at the heart of the EP in the aptly named second song, “Apathy & Rage.” Where rage is filled with energy and motivation to promote change, apathy is resignation, an acceptance of the tragedy of our time.
“The idea that we have no control is an illusion,” Blasl stated in an interview with The Tribune.
Apathy is a result of overwhelming rage, yet it is constantly at odds with the desire to seek progress. The two play out in every song—not only in Blasl’s lyrics, but also in the balance between jazz and rock. In constant conversation, the two styles serve to introduce a wide spectrum of feelings and messages unique to this EP.
The EP crescendoes with “The Gish Gallop” and “Helical Memory,” the EP’s single. The first is a song infused with energy. As bossa nova elements propel the song into the chorus, vocals swell and crash over a raging beat that mirrors a horse’s gallop. This anger explodes at the end of the song with a bright guitar riff before being transformed into apathy in “Helical Memory.” The concept of apathy is nuanced, with lyrics exploring how our reality echoes the past and how all of our emotions have been felt before. Instead of hopelessness, however, the song evokes a sense of comfort and continuity—dread and disappointment with the world are not unique to this generation. This perspective lessens the burden of our own heavy emotions. This gentle positivity comes through musically with soothing violin, as well as the bass line, which remains upbeat throughout.
“The main purpose of the EP is just to let people know that they’re not alone in the feelings they have. They’re shared by a lot of people,” Blasl stated.
This idea is explored through vulnerable lyrics describing feeling lost and alone, which invite listeners to relate and feel relief at hearing their innermost thoughts echoed in song.
The last two songs return to the introspective space from the beginning of the EP. Although at the start, listeners were only audience to Blasl’s plight, the band has recentered personal struggles as communal, now allowing listeners to hear their own thoughts shared and sung with them. “Tow the Line” laments the uncertainty of one’s role in life. The beginning explores the sense of resignation at one’s place until the introduction of percussion, which transforms this apathy into motivated anger to seek personal improvement.
The final song, “What’s The Rush?,” closes the EP with a warm embrace. Soft vocals and harmonies over quiet percussion plead with time to slow down. The song becomes a lullaby, soothing listeners. Despite the sombre themes explored, the EP remains comforting and uplifting. Touch Grass reminds us that there is always community in dark times and illuminates the beauty of our shared plight.
This Pretty Agony is available to stream on all platforms.
