whatever works, the debut LP from a kid named rufus (a.k.a. Rufus Sivaroshan), boasts a short 27 minute runtime that feels like a sprint through the anxieties of being a young artist living on the other side of home. A blend of beautiful guitar strums, upbeat tempos and delicate soundscapes, one would expect whatever works to offer optimistic lyricism to pair with its cheery aesthetic, but Sivaroshan's songwriting is often quite the opposite.
The album opens with the title track, a reflective piece that addresses the literal price of independence and the frustrations of economic precarity. This short intro feels like a burst of expression, followed by a similarly short mood lightener in "the cute girl from brewster hall." This song's romantic themes serve as an escape from the lyrical despair of the preceding track — Sivaroshan has a knack for incredibly catchy hooks, capturing the excitement, innocence and sweetness of young love.
"how sweet does this sound?" brings in a nostalgic mood with its 2000s melodic style, featuring an upbeat percussive tempo reminiscent of beach music. The song's buoyant energy keeps the momentum going, before "eighteen" slows things down, discussing the fear of moving far from home to pursue new opportunities without family support. The vulnerability of the lyrics and the captivating musical arrangement – a departure from the usual 4/4 time signature — create the emotional anchor of the album.
"tryhard" picks up the pace with beautiful synth work and punchy percussion. The song delves into themes of solitude, trauma, and adjusting to life in a new country, with a powerful key change towards the end elevates the track. In "liability", the album's longest song, Sivaroshan once again addresses their economic precarity. The song's beautiful piano melodies underscore the emotional weight of Sivaroshan' songwriting, hinting that the person they're addressing may just be their past self.
"I hate being cool" and "stuck in san antonio" further showcase Sivaroshan' versatility as an artist, with the former exploring themes of identity and the pressures of fitting in, and providing a contrast to the rest of the album with rock chord progressions and a melancholy vocal performance. The album reaches a profound and introspective conclusion with "everybody hates me." Here, Sivaroshan confronts issues related to mental health, self-concept, and suicidal ideation. They refer to talking about 'it' as an ominous event that they wish to forget about, signalling a major traumatic event. The electric guitar solo adds intensity, reinforcing the rawness of the lyrics.
Despite the regretfully brief runtime of whatever works, a kid named rufus courageously ventures into unconventional lyrical territory, exploring themes of financial irresponsibility, economic precarity, trauma and existential crises. The album's exploration of these complex issues, combined with Sivaroshan' musical creativity, makes whatever works a compelling and thought-provoking investigation of youth, artistic perseverance and unresolved trauma.
The album portrays Sivaroshan's uncertainties unapologetically, reminding us that sometimes life is just hard, and that's a reality worth capturing and embracing through music. There is no particularly happy ending here. It's not exactly a tragedy either. While this ambiguity might make listeners uncomfortable, this decision underscores the album's title. Sometimes life sucks and we just have to do whatever works.
(Nettwerk)The album opens with the title track, a reflective piece that addresses the literal price of independence and the frustrations of economic precarity. This short intro feels like a burst of expression, followed by a similarly short mood lightener in "the cute girl from brewster hall." This song's romantic themes serve as an escape from the lyrical despair of the preceding track — Sivaroshan has a knack for incredibly catchy hooks, capturing the excitement, innocence and sweetness of young love.
"how sweet does this sound?" brings in a nostalgic mood with its 2000s melodic style, featuring an upbeat percussive tempo reminiscent of beach music. The song's buoyant energy keeps the momentum going, before "eighteen" slows things down, discussing the fear of moving far from home to pursue new opportunities without family support. The vulnerability of the lyrics and the captivating musical arrangement – a departure from the usual 4/4 time signature — create the emotional anchor of the album.
"tryhard" picks up the pace with beautiful synth work and punchy percussion. The song delves into themes of solitude, trauma, and adjusting to life in a new country, with a powerful key change towards the end elevates the track. In "liability", the album's longest song, Sivaroshan once again addresses their economic precarity. The song's beautiful piano melodies underscore the emotional weight of Sivaroshan' songwriting, hinting that the person they're addressing may just be their past self.
"I hate being cool" and "stuck in san antonio" further showcase Sivaroshan' versatility as an artist, with the former exploring themes of identity and the pressures of fitting in, and providing a contrast to the rest of the album with rock chord progressions and a melancholy vocal performance. The album reaches a profound and introspective conclusion with "everybody hates me." Here, Sivaroshan confronts issues related to mental health, self-concept, and suicidal ideation. They refer to talking about 'it' as an ominous event that they wish to forget about, signalling a major traumatic event. The electric guitar solo adds intensity, reinforcing the rawness of the lyrics.
Despite the regretfully brief runtime of whatever works, a kid named rufus courageously ventures into unconventional lyrical territory, exploring themes of financial irresponsibility, economic precarity, trauma and existential crises. The album's exploration of these complex issues, combined with Sivaroshan' musical creativity, makes whatever works a compelling and thought-provoking investigation of youth, artistic perseverance and unresolved trauma.
The album portrays Sivaroshan's uncertainties unapologetically, reminding us that sometimes life is just hard, and that's a reality worth capturing and embracing through music. There is no particularly happy ending here. It's not exactly a tragedy either. While this ambiguity might make listeners uncomfortable, this decision underscores the album's title. Sometimes life sucks and we just have to do whatever works.