AJ Yorio's 'GUSH' feels less like a polished studio album and more like a raw, unfiltered outpouring of pent-up emotion. As he puts it, this release is "like a geyser," a collection of "songs and ideas and lyrics and sounds that have been trapped underneath the surface for years." This isn't a meticulously crafted masterpiece, but rather a burst of creative energy, a cathartic release that feels both instinctive and, at times, explosive.
Yorio, a songwriter from Cincinnati, with a history in The Heavy Hours and co-collaboration on Michael Marcagi's ‘American Romance’ EP, steps out solo here. Having experienced the whirlwind success of co-writing ‘Scared To Start’ and touring the world, he acknowledges that "last year being the most exciting year of my life didn’t mean it wasn’t the most difficult thus far; those times of difficulty are what GUSH is about." These are songs born from life's complexities, "written the past several years and haven’t had time to finish." The fact they're "mastered and they are now available to listen to pretty much everywhere" speaks to a desire to simply share, to let these tracks breathe.
Recorded at his old house in Mt Washington years, 'GUSH' possesses a distinctly personal, almost intimate quality. The album opens with 'There's A Party,' a sonic onslaught of hazy guitar chords and hidden vocals. It's an immediate, almost overwhelming experience, a wall of sound that demands attention. Yet, within this chaos, melodic threads emerge, creating a captivating tension.
The album's nine tracks navigate a diverse sonic landscape. 'Weekend Camp' and 'Too Old To Glow' offer hypnotic, rough-edged melodies, while 'Stanbery Park' and 'The Shakes' draw you in with warm, acoustic tones. 'So Low' stands out with its vibrant energy and singalong choruses, a stark contrast to the more introspective moments. 'Engines,' in particular, provides a poignant sense of fragility, a vulnerable counterpoint to the album's more energetic tracks.
'GUSH' isn't about perfection; it's about authenticity. It's a collection of songs that feel lived-in, raw, and undeniably human. It's clear this is an album AJ Yorio needed to make and have out in the world. It’s a raw, honest snapshot of an artist letting his inner geyser erupt.
You can stream the new album today, and be sure to follow AJ on Instagram and Facebook for more.
