by David Wilikofsky
I’ve been completely and utterly obsessed with Jimothy Lacoste since the first time I heard him. The creation of 21 year old Timothy Gonzales, a typical Jimothy Lacoste track sits somewhere between cloud rap and bedroom pop, filled with twinkling synths and half sung-half rapped vocals. Lacoste has been releasing loose singles for the better part of two years, each more beguiling than the last. In my personal favorite, “I Can Speak Spanish”, Lacoste flexes for a girl by demonstrating his bilingualism. It’s a bit twee and incredibly earnest, but that’s exactly where it’s charm comes from.
His debut album, The Safeway, dropped with little fanfare two weeks ago. I had some trepidation about how Jimothy’s shtick might translate into a full album, but The Safeway shows that fear was misplaced. It’s unclear if Jimothy Lacoste is a character or Gonzalez himself (the truth is likely somewhere between the two), but it hardly matters. The line “listen to my music and experience my whole world” shows up on the album’s penultimate track, but that could easily be the thesis for the whole album. The Safeway presents a fully realized version of Jimothy and his universe. Jimothy’s preferred alcohol is Grey Goose. Jimothy goes on dates but wants to take it slow. Jimothy goes to out to the club but doesn’t have a good time. Jimothy decides to rob a bank and plans to tell the cops it was just a prank if he gets caught. Jimothy casually tosses out one liners so funny they will leave you gasping for breath. Jimothy is out there unapologetically being Jimothy.
The greatest achievement of this album is capturing that particular moment of youth where the world appears limitless. “Prepare your dreams and your special goal / start planning now and you’ll do well” Jimothy sings on “Getting Scared”. There’s not a hint of cynicism in that statement, and that sense of earnestness is present throughout. When Jimothy tells you “when you’re feeling down give my songs a little play / then you’ll feel best, then you’ll have the power / like a little plant, you’ll grow like a flower” you absolutely believe him. In another artist’s hands this might feel treacly, but it feels just right coming from Jimothy’s mouth.
One of my favorite albums of all time is Liz Phair’s Exile in Guyville, and I’d posit that the two albums are spiritually connected. Exile In Guyville has always been special to me because it paints such a complete psychological portrait of Phair. It’s so candidly honest that even the moments where she is putting up a front reveal emotional truths. The Safeway functions similarly, but where Phair’s truth was one of hurt Jimothy’s is one of unbridled positivity and love. He believes he can do anything and wants others to feel that same empowerment.
Is the album a bit overstuffed? Maybe. As is bound to happen on a 17 track album, not everything works (see “Getting To The 70s”, literally a song about how Jimothy is influenced by stuff from the 70s). Can it drag a bit at times? Sure. But rather than detracting, these slight misfires add to its charm. This album is 100% Jimothy, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. Right now this album feels absolutely vital, like a ray of light through all the darkness in the world. It’s the most life affirming, heartfelt pop album I’ve heard this year, and it’s going to be a hard one to top.