Barnett and Vile Collaborate Effortlessly on: Lotta Sea Lice

Kendall Wright

It’s a special thing when two songwriters with such unique styles come together, and not only put out a record but manage to compliment each other the way that Kurt Vile and Courtney Barnett have been able to do with “Lotta Sea Lice.”

The lackadaisical grandeur of “Over Everything” really sets the tone for the record. The dueling, but never competitive, guitar work creates an ambient forest of sound, navigated by way of simplistic, honest lyrics that these two are known for. Single, “Continental Breakfast,” highlights a pleasant acoustic riff throughout and the easygoing scenery that Barnett and Vile provide, “watching the waves come in at night, from my back porch stoop porch swing, swinging on its own.” This track might be where the partnership sounds most effortless and cherished. “Let It Go” welcomes a snappy snare and a sing-on-beat style verse that makes the chorus feel like someone stepped on the brake. It’s then that the anthemic hook comes into play, “You gotta let it go, before it takes you over.” “Blue Cheese” is witty with a variety of instruments not heard elsewhere on the record; banjo, harmonica, a whistle solo, and plenty of “yips and “yups.”

There are several spaces on the record where the two put their own spins on each other’s songs. Kurt Vile does his take on Barnett’s “Outta the Woodwork”, turning the piano stomper into a guitar driven western, only missing Kurt Russel with a mustache. Barnett is powerful on her version of Vile’s “Peeping Tomboy,” deemed “Peepin’ Tom” this time around. The best stand-alone vocals of the record can be found on this track, accented by a sweet, but rare falsetto.

“Untogether” is the perfect closer to this collection of songs that took the best both Kurt Vile and Courtney Barnett. They sing in unison, over dreamy, tropical bends of guitar, “Untogether, I couldn’t help it, it got hard, you can dry your eyes, but you can’t hold the impossibly, Untogether.”

“Lotta Sea Lice” is on Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, etc. They are touring together in support of the record this fall, dates can be found here.