B-Side Guys

Scott Apple’s debut album “Darling Citizen” arrives like a well-worn journal found in the attic of a childhood home. Released on August 1, 2024, this 10-track, 31-minute odyssey serves as both a time capsule of Apple’s last five years and a sonic exploration of the liminal space between summer and fall, youth and adulthood.

The album opens with its title track, “Darling Citizen,” setting the tone for a collection that feels deeply personal yet universally relatable. Apple’s lyrics throughout the album showcase a knack for introspection without navel-gazing, a difficult balance that he strikes with impressive consistency.

“Lemonade Daydream” follows, a sun-drenched ode to youthful ambition and the sweetness of shared dreams. Lines like “I don’t care what they got to say about me / I’m living life living dreams they never could see” capture the defiant optimism of youth, while the chorus’s invitation to “live a lemonade daydream” serves as a mantra for embracing life’s simple pleasures.

The album hits its stride with “Two-Tone,” featuring Andrea Marie. This duet explores the complexities of long-term relationships and personal growth. The interplay between Apple and Marie’s vocals mirrors the push and pull of a relationship evolving over time. Lyrics like “And as you grew you know I loved on you / Loved on you but something flew” speak to the bittersweet reality of change within a partnership.

“Posy” offers a change of pace, diving into darker territory. The repeated refrain “We all fall down” serves as a stark reminder of human fragility, while lines like “My heart can’t take this anymore” hint at personal struggles that feel both specific to Apple’s experience and universally relatable.

The album’s emotional core might be “Evergreen,” a track that perfectly encapsulates the album’s themes of growth, change, and resilience. The chorus “Cause all your echos call my name / But they never sound the same / And all this green you’ve come let stay / It will never fade away” speaks to the lasting impact of meaningful connections, even as time and distance alter their form.

Throughout “Darling Citizen,” Apple demonstrates a gift for crafting lyrics that feel both deeply personal and universally relatable. His words often read like entries from a private journal, offering snapshots of moments both mundane and profound. Yet there’s a craftsmanship to his writing that elevates these personal reflections into something more broadly resonant.

Musically, the album strikes a balance between indie folk introspection and more upbeat, pop-influenced tracks. The production, while polished, maintains an intimate feel that complements the confessional nature of Apple’s lyrics. Acoustic guitars and warm synths create a sonic palette that evokes the transitional feeling of late summer evenings, perfectly matching the album’s thematic exploration of life’s in-between moments.

“Darling Citizen” is an album that rewards close listening. While it works as pleasant background music, its true depth reveals itself when given full attention. Apple has crafted a collection of songs that invite listeners to reflect on their own journeys, to find echoes of their experiences in his carefully chosen words.

The album’s brevity – clocking in at just over 31 minutes – works in its favor. Each song feels essential, with no filler to dilute the impact of Apple’s storytelling. It’s a testament to his songwriting prowess that he can cover so much emotional ground in such a concise package.

As a debut album, “Darling Citizen” serves as an impressive calling card for Scott Apple. It showcases not just his talent as a songwriter and musician, but also his willingness to be vulnerable and authentic in his art. The risk he took in pouring his resources into this project has paid off in a collection of songs that feel both timely and timeless.

While the album is deeply rooted in Apple’s experiences in Knoxville, Tennessee, its themes of growth, change, and self-discovery resonate far beyond any specific geographic location. It’s an album that captures the universal experience of navigating life’s transitions, of grappling with big questions while finding joy in small moments.

“Darling Citizen” is not an album that provides easy answers. Instead, it offers companionship on the journey of self-discovery. Apple’s lyrics often raise more questions than they answer, inviting listeners to engage in their own introspection. Yet there’s an underlying current of hope throughout the album, a sense that even in moments of doubt or struggle, “everything will be okay.”

As the final notes of “Evergreen” fade out, listeners are left with a sense of having journeyed alongside Apple through a significant period of his life. The album feels like a conversation with a close friend, one that leaves you feeling both introspective and uplifted.

In a musical landscape often dominated by artifice and overproduction, “Darling Citizen” stands out for its sincerity and emotional authenticity. Scott Apple has crafted an album that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable, a rare feat for any artist, let alone one making their debut.