Table of Contents
Underdressed at the Symphony………………….A Faye Webster album
Sunday Songs…………………Faye Webster
Sunday Poll……………………..Faye Webster
Sunday Carrier………………….NOT Faye Webster
Studio Jali …………………………Uncredited Season 2 Episode 2
P.S ……………………………………….It can depend on air conditions, but the typical lightning bolt moves at 224,000 mph -- or about 3,700 miles per second. However, the light you see from the lightning obviously travels at the speed of light, which is roughly 670 million mph, or 186,000 miles per second.
Underdressed at the Symphony
is the newest album by Faye Webster. Released on March 1st, 2024, I was only notified of the new release an entire week later, on Friday, March 8th. This is noteworthy because Faye Webster is one of my favorite artists. I follow her on IG, have 26 of her songs saved to my library, and have been listening to her since 2019’s Atlanta Millionaire Club; and still, my algorithms don’t know me well enough to know that if Faye is releasing a new album, I want to hear it THE DAY IT COMES OUT.
The discovery of new artists outside the algorithms, along with the dissolving of true music artist fandom, is something I’ve written a lot about throughout this newsletter that I won’t get into for this edition. But I will get into the opposite of that: Genuine fandom of an artist that I discovered organically, who I continue to support a full 5 years later; and her newest album that I can’t stop replaying—song by song. Let’s do it.
Underdressed at the Symphony is only 10 songs, and 36 minutes long, but the first 3 tracks took me a little over an hour to get through since I kept stopping them halfway and starting them over. Specifically, the lead-off track “Thinking About You” I’m a huge believer that the 1st song of an album is what sets the tone for the entire thing, so wasting it on a throwaway intro skit or some 30-second warm-up is ill-advised to me. If you have heat, bring it.
Faye’s Thinking About You is heat. It’s 6 minutes long and I replayed the first 3 minutes about 10 times before being able to listen to the rest of the song. This is one of those songs that I will be listening to for a long long time, through love or heartbreak, stateside or abroad, rain or sun. It’s dreamy, sweet, romantic, longing, and just a really really good song that shows the height of her sound at its best. Nothing overly complicated, with a writing tone and delivery that sucks you right in, with the soft chords to pair, and an instrumental that lulls you to sleep (in a good way), and makes you believe it’s the end of the song, before crashing in for the second half. That’s my favorite part. Thinking about you is right. [Grade A+]
Second up, But Not Kiss is a bit more edgy, with hints of punk rock. While I like this song, it’s not one that I was stuck replaying over and over again, nor is one that feels like it’s for “me” as a listener. Faye’s music I love the most, is generally smoother, melodic, and soft. There were only 2 songs I didn’t add from this album to my library on first listen, and this is one of them. [Grade: C+]
A song that exemplifies exactly what I mean, is Wanna Quit All the Time. Some songs hit you at exactly the right time you need to hear them; when it feels like a song is made for you, to represent the exact feeling and moment in your life right now, and that’s what this is to me.
Wanna Quit All the Time makes me nostalgic for Los Angeles. The pursuit of writing, the dream I chased when I moved to this city, the dream I’m still chasing right now. The times when I felt burnt out, or like it wasn’t going to happen, or how far away it felt. And now, it still feels so far away, and it still feels like it might not happen, but at the same time, every time I take real stock of my life, I’ve moved forward. Creatively, I’ve done everything I said I was going to do, and while it’s not yet perfect or fully at the professional level I know it needs to be, I know I’ll figure it out. [Grade A+]
The 4th song on the album, Lego Ring, is another punk rock/psychedelic ode with a Yachty feature, and through this song, I hear both of them, but him in particular doing his best Dark Side of the Moon impression, but I’m kind of into it. Not a favorite, but fits right into the right playlist. [Grade B-]
Feeling Good Today, the shortest song from Underdressed at the Symphony is layered with auto-tuned harmonies, a slight step away from her usual singing voice, but is still enjoyable, sweet, and the type of song that gives you a great snapshot into the real life of an artist.
Purely as a song, it’s unlikely to ever stand out in the algorithms or hit playlist, but it will have immense replay value on a full album re-listen and one that has the type of depth that will last over time. Akin toWhite Ferrari or Close To You from Blonde, it’s also the type of song that makes you think it might be your favorite from the entire album, but only on enough listens, and only in the right mood. [Grade B+ but A potential]
I'm feeling good today I ate before noon I think that's pretty good for me I'm gonna see my brother He's got a new girl But he's good at making time for me I might open my doors I got a exterminator So it doesn't matter if bugs come in That way my dog goes outside My neighbors know his name Thought that was weird but I'm over it I got paid yesterday I'll probably buy something dumb Because I am pretty childish But all my friends are the same Just find us something to do Find a new hobby just to ditch it
Pushing right along to the halfway point of the album is Lifetime. This is a return to toned-down, intimate country roots Faye. A slow song I would love to hear live, and a song with enough sadness to connect. Also, the song that best represents what this album was about.
In her own words, the summation of her description of the album “[Webster] isn’t providing answers here, nor is she on a journey of healing and self-care. Instead, she’s choosing to just live, to document heartbreak and ridiculous moments right next to each other until they start to blur, becoming real enough for us all to feel.”
[Grade A-]
After the slow and reflective blur of moments and emotions that is Lifetime, she bounces back with an upbeat indie rock jam, He Loves Me Yeah! This song is fun, and it feels like one that could be played full blast with the windows down while ripping up the 405 past the Getty.
[Grade B if inside, A- if cruising 405 with windows down]
The 8th song on the album (only 2 more to go) ebay Purchase History, is the second song on this album that I didn’t add to my library on first listen. It’s not particularly melodic or catchy, while also not being upbeat or punk or rock. It’s fine, and maybe it’ll grow on me later.
[Grade C]
Underdressed at the Symphony, the penultimate song off the album and the title sake is wonderful. I’d put it in the same category as Lifetime, Wanna Quit All the Time, and Thinking About You where it’s Faye’s raw voice at its best, without noticeable harmonizing or autotune effects. And that for me, is how I became a Faye in the first place. So while the electronic harmonies and effects are fun, this is the bread and butter. And I can admit my bias in that.
There’s also an instrument that kicks in 2:40 which is my favorite single sound from any of the songs. It sounds like strings. But cello? Violin? I’m not sure. But I love it.
[Grade A-]
Last, but never least, Tttttime. My favorite thing about this song is how she puts the counts in the title so it’s easy to follow when singing along with. T-t-t-t-t-time. I don’t have much to say about this song, other than it’s a solid close to one of, if not my favorite album releases of the year. It also only features two verses. And gives us another glimpse into her real life before signing off for— well, who knows? Another 2 or 3 years until the next time we hear another Faye album.
It’s a good farewell and a good place to stop.
[Grade B+]
I woke up naturally I forgot what I dreamed I don't know what to do I'm alone but what's new? I got t-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-time T-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-time-ime T-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-time T-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-time-ime I get lost in a song Take a walk, call my mom Don't go out anymore In half an hour, I'll be bored I got t-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-time T-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-time-ime T-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-time T-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-time-ime
Until next time Faye.
“The title of Faye Webster's new album is inspired by her occasional compulsion to lose herself among concertgoers at the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Craving company and distraction but also leaning into the anonymity of a crowd, Webster often bought a ticket to a performance at the last second. “Going to the symphony was almost like therapy for me,” she says. “I was quite literally underdressed at the symphony because I would just decide at the last moment that's what I wanted to do.” [Spotify]
Sunday Songs
The top 5 Faye Webster songs you should listen to if you’re interested in being a Faye Webster fan. Aka, my top 5 favorite Faye Webster songs.
(Not including ones from Underdressed at the Symphony]
(I know what I said, but my newsletter my rules)
Sunday Poll
Sunday Poll is back! One week (almost) after Super Tuesday.
Last week, I asked you all if you’ve ever voted in a local election, and to my surprise, 100% of voters who voted, said yes; they had voted in a local election. This is good, I’m glad we have civic engagement from the Pen Sunday viewership. But what I’m more interested in, is did the zero voters for “no,” not vote because they felt embarrassed to vote no. Or, because their answer was a “no” they didn’t see a reason to vote no. I think there’s some political psychology in there somewhere that Cousin Carl would have a take on.
Anyway, here’s a question about Faye.
Voting is free and anonymous. All it takes is a subscription. (That’s free too).
You only have one week to vote. Results will be reviewed and discussed in next week’s edition.
Sunday Carrier
Israel-Palestine Human Rights Watch
Gilbert Goons Update! [Will have more on this next week]
‘Dragon Ball’ creator Akira Toriyama dies at 68
'Oppenheimer' wins Best Picture | Oscars
Haiti: US evacuates embassy staff amid gang violence
Newly sworn-in Florida deputy arrested for child pornography on first day
Weekly Announcement:
Pen Sunday subscribers will be first to know about upcoming guests on Uncredited (so subscribe!)
Next Thursday's guest is Cal Anderson, an Australian I met in Colombia, who manages the artist James Marriott.
Uncredited will be uploaded to, and available to listen through substack/Pen Sunday!
PS
It’s the end of Pen Sunday, edition #71. If you reached the end, thank you for reading. It means a lot.
Pen Sunday is a newsletter about a writer, a dream, and a studio. With headlines from around the world, music, and maybe a poem. Every Sunday and Sunday only.
Until Sunday,
Solomon Lovejoy