About this item

Kelcey Ayer, the creative force behind Jaws of Love., has always been an ace at writing a good love song—he just didn’t always recognize his genre. Known to fans as a member of Local Natives, he has been writing his own brand of moody piano-centric songs for the last 10 years. As Local Natives geared up to release their third album, Ayer booked time in the same LA studio, Electro-Vox and in a three-day burst he recorded seven of his own songs. Playing on the studio’s grand and upright pianos, Ayer allowed his emotional intuition to lead the way while working on his dark, dramatic music. The piano is a centerpiece, whether out front on its own like on the opening track “Jaws of Love.” or ushering in a maelstrom of synth programming as on “Microwaves.”

Every tune on the record features piano in a major capacity, with Ayer’s lilting, deliberate voice guiding the melodies with nuance and assurance. “Hawaiian License Plates.” dips and soars, while “Lake Tahoe.” pulls the tempo back down like an R & B torch song sung at 3 a.m.“Everything.” features a ripping horn wail, and Ayer’s heart-worn vocals over the steady click track on the lovelorn “Love Me Like I’m Gone.” take the song to dramatic heights. As the Radiohead-recalling final song, “Nightlight.,” starts and ends with Ayer’s simple, rhythmic piano chords and gentle croon, Jaws of Love.’s place and power are cemented.

RIYL: James Blake, Radiohead, Sampha, Portishead, Sufjan Stevens, Local Natives, Bon Iver 

TRACK LISTING

1. Jaws Of Love.
2. Hawaiian License Plates.
3. Lake Tahoe.
4. Microwaves
5. Shrink...
6. Everything.
7. Love Me Like I’m Gone.
8. Before The Hurting Lands.
9. Costa Rica.
10. Nightlight.