Guillermo CastroIt doesn’t take long for In the Meantime to get to the heart of the matter. Frontman Tommy Trautwein lays it out for us in the opening line amidst a torrent of rollicking guitars and driving drums. “I want to be something, something bigger than I am,” he sings, immediately establishing the aspirational nature of Well Kept’s debut. It’s an easy sentiment to relate to, in part because it’s so open-ended. We all want to grow and ascend in some form; what separates us are the methods we use and the meanings we chase to become whatever it is we’re seeking.
But what follows next isn’t a sprinting forward or an all-out embrace of personal advancement. Instead we’re confronted with conflict. “But I’m holding on to an anchor, an anchor in my hand,” Trautwein reveals, replacing the track’s motivational energy with a jolt of critical self-awareness. The remainder of opener “I Am” — and, indeed, much of In the Meantime as a whole — explores similar dualities. It’s a record bristling with examinations of faith and doubt, triumph and discontent, acceptance and regret. What holds it all together, however, is Trautwein’s plainspoken honesty, coupled with the band’s earnest intensity and keen sense of dynamics.
What is most often described as Trautwein’s emo/alternative rock project, Well Kept got its start as a kind of dumping ground for ideas that didn’t quite fit in with his then band Jester. At first, it was just a collection of random snippets — bits and pieces of melodic hooks and off-kilter guitar that showed promise but lacked cohesion. Over time, however, the songs began to take shape and the members started to coalesce and form a common identity. What started as a solo project eventually morphed into a well-rounded and fully collaborative band. Suddenly the stakes were higher, and what was once a secondary concern began to take on primary importance.
“In creating this record, I saw the afterthought become the only thought,” bassist Elijah Johnston said in a statement. “The solo project became the side project which became the band, and I saw a batch of demos and stray ideas that would randomly show up in my inbox become full-fledged rock songs that altered my way of thinking and playing.”
Given the group’s own evolution, it’s no surprise that transformation should also appear as a central theme within the album. Whether it’s the anxiety imposed by encroaching adulthood (“Meantime”), the pain of relationships unraveling (“Oh, Charise”), or the sacrifices inherent in pursuing our dreams (“Flood Lights”), these are songs that find their power and meaning within moments that disrupt our sense of comfort and force us to adapt to new realities.
Musically, Trautwein and company flesh out captivating backdrops that shift from agitated to serene without disrupting the record’s unifying atmosphere. From sparkling emo and lumbering slacker rock to starkly beautiful acoustic numbers, In the Meantime remains a consistently wistful affair full of thoughtful reflection and quiet revelations. It’s a record you can rock out to at times, especially when confronted by the tension-filled vigor of tracks like “Oh, Charise.” But ultimately, it’s a record that finds its catharsis in introspection over instinct, in shrewd organization over noisy tumult. Well Kept have crafted a smart and poignant debut, one that grows bigger and more generous with every listen.
Well Kept will celebrate the release of In the Meantime tonight at the Caledonia Lounge alongside Heffner and Drew Beskin. Doors open at 8 p.m. Admission is $7. 18+ to enter.
More Info
Bandcamp: wellkeptmusic.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @wellkeptmusic
SoundCloud: @wellkeptmusic