I won’t be the one to say that Anxious Houseguest is the last artist to not be overtaken by indie cynicism and shallowness, because there are lots of bands out there who still believe that what they are doing has a higher meaning, but few have the skill and raw power that Kris Savitski aka Anxious Houseguest does.
Initially a classic pianist, Kris switched to midi keyboards, software synths, samples, and looping software on moving to Portland from the East Coast. Anxious Houseguest first my attracted attention with the single, “The Woods of This House”, a few months back. Now he has finally released his full length album, “Second Guessing Everything”, which also contains the aforementioned single.
The songs are thoughtful, catchy, beautiful and emotive, and well-produced. There is a special chemistry about this artist. Even though he is somewhat new, his music comes to you fully formed, already great. Like a great band from the past that you’ve never actually listened to, and then finally get a chance to give your full attention and say, “this is why people love this band.”
You’ll hear melodies you should have heard before but haven’t yet. Kris Savitski has a simple, yet endearing, soulful voice; and he writes patient, thoughtful, direct lyrics about his experiences and inner searching. Kris has a lot of charisma and passion that will gain attention for Anxious Houseguest’s music.
These beautiful synth melodies, and reflective, not pretentious lyrics will take you on a beautiful ride. “Over Before It Starts” is just upbeat and transcendent. “Thawing” is so beautiful. “The Woods Of This House” is so haunting and atmospheric. On “Outerspace” and “The Heys” the offbeat melodic vocals will simply take your breath away.
I could go on and on about all of the songs. Many could sound sad but instead are hopeful and have melodies that lift the sadness of some lyrics. You’ll love Kris’ voice, whose emotive, soulful delivery – which avoids the usually overplayed pop crooning we hear on radio – transports you, along with the great melodies and hooks to each song’s core. You’ll fully connect with the emotions of longing, nostalgia, regret and hope that are contained in the lyrics, beats and deliveries.
The musicianship is outstanding, the guitars, the drums, the synths, the melodic riffs, the composition. Every song is addicting, and on constant repeat. Some arrangements are sprawling and propulsive, spilling over with visceral energy that belies the profoundness of Anxious Houseguest’s ‘search and discover’ gamut of emotional disclosures.
From a songwriting point of view, he is in top-form, putting together arrangements with more depth than the apparent simplistic verse-chorus structures. The emotional expressions in Kris’ lyrics are also in peak form, with him taking on more the role of an afflicted poet than a pop lyricist. If you’re an aficionado of independent and affecting music, you must check out Anxious Houseguest, who delivers both with brilliance!
OFFICIAL LINKS: BANDCAMP – SOUNDCLOUD – TUMBLR
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