In ‘My Version of Desire,’ Labrador accomplishes the rare feat of making profound self-examination sound like a celebration. Led by the sharp songwriting of Pat King, the Philadelphia-based trio, (rounded out by bassist Will Hochgertel and drummer Steve Kurtz), has moved beyond the observational empathy of their earlier work to create a record that feels like a vivid, internal conversation. By leaning into the lineage of mod-soul and power pop, the band frames the struggle for self-forgiveness within a series of bright, kinetic arrangements that refuse to sag under the weight of their own honesty.
The release gains immediate traction with “Someday I’ll Pay,” a track where King wrestles with the lingering echoes of guilt over a stomp that recalls the high-energy urgency of late-seventies new wave. This momentum carries into “Dry Out In June,” a clear-eyed rumination on sobriety that pulses with a soda-pop electric organ provided by Heather Jones. While the lyrical content navigates the difficult process of recovery, the music itself remains defiant and buoyant, echoing the gritty pop charge of the Replacements at their most melodic.
The record’s sonic punch is significantly enhanced by the production collaboration between engineer Jones and mastering engineer Chris Walla. Their combined efforts ensure a vast dynamic range, allowing the louder guitar tracks to hit with a physical force that never sacrifices clarity. On the title piece, “My Version of Desire,” and “Every Day Is Something Different,” the guitars of King and guest Kris Hayes possess a shimmering electricity that feels three-dimensional. The mix allows these symphonic fragments to expand and contract, giving the choruses a technicolor burst that feels earned rather than forced.
The middle of the record finds a sweet spot between introspective folk-rock and the punch of Motown. “A Favor To Someone,” “People Like You And Me,” and the playfully titled “Bobby Gillespie” showcase a band that understands the value of a hook as a vehicle for complex emotion. These songs function as short-story snapshots of a world that is often snarled and tangled, yet King approaches these knots with a sense of mercy. The vocal harmonies of Hochgertel and Kurtz provide a warm, fraternal backdrop that keeps the more confessional moments grounded in a shared reality.
As the album nears its end, the palette grows even broader. “Heavy Hearts” brings a widescreen, alt-country twang into the fold, utilizing a wall of Les Pauls and _Stax_-inspired hooks to explore the physical weight of longing. The closing stretches of “It Only Dies If You Let It” serve as a final reminder that the practice of self-love is an ongoing, active choice. By the time the final notes fade, Labrador has mapped out a rocky garden path that feels both uniquely personal and universally recognizable. ‘My Version of Desire’ is a generous, high-voltage document of what it means to keep moving forward, finding the beauty in the struggle and the melody in the mess.
Learn more by visiting Bandcamp | Safe Suburban Home Records.
