Debut albums carry a lot of weight; on Tattooed Soul, Adam Reese doesn’t shy away from that. On March 6th, the emerging artist released an inspirational, and sonically dynamic, story of growth and resilience. Tattooed Soul is composed of thirteen self-produced tracks, which fluctuate between pop, rock, electronic, and hip-hop influences. Regardless of musical style, Reese consistently pulls from his own experiences to craft a deeply personal, yet approachable message to listeners: “I’ve been through it and survived—you will too.”
Hailing from Northwestern Chicago, Reese opens the record by bringing listeners into his own world- both geographically and lyrically. Track one, The Burbs, showcases the noise behind suburban calm. Reese reflects on his feelings of restlessness and escapism, repeating the lyric “life is short, I’m addicted, needing more.” Reese’s production talent also shines on this track; his use of hazy guitar riffs and steady beats creates a laid-back, nostalgic groove akin to 2010s alt-pop and rock bands like Two Door Cinema Club and Twenty-One Pilots.
Tattooed Soul kicks the nostalgia into high gear with Summer Love, while keeping the youthful, suburban atmosphere alive. Much like The Burbs, this track is driven by a prominent beat, but creates a lighter sound with more pop and electronic qualities. Reese demonstrates his vocal range with a variety of higher notes, and his storytelling flourishes with nods to teen party culture and romance; a notable line is “flowers in hair like it’s ‘67, feelin’ like summer love.” Throwback Tracks follows up with gentle piano, conversational verses, and one of the album’s catchiest choruses.
The euphoria begins to wear off, though, on Days Like This, where Reese acknowledges feelings of isolation and numbness- perhaps the flip side of his prior emphasis on party culture. Lines like “the summertime heat is on the rise, but I’m sittin’ on the front porch cold as ice,” and “try to show love, try to show feelings,” add depth to the album. By sharing darker emotions, Reese carves out a turning point for a more positive outlook. He looks to the future in hope with the chorus highlight, “I’ll survive days like this.” At the same time, Reese connects with his listeners, reminding them that “we’ll be okay.”
In a surprising but fitting turn of events, Tattooed Soul features a cover of Beck’s Loser, which matches the record’s angst and emotion well. Reese’s production skillset is put on full display here, as he masterfully flips the original into his own dimension of pop and electronic music. The end result is a danceable, yet vulnerable, addition to Tattooed Soul, and a wonderful use of creative freedom by Reese.
As Tattooed Soul flows onward, Reese continues to oscillate between themes of nostalgia and hope. On Don’t Trip, for instance, Reese acknowledges past emotional struggles, but clings to the fact that “this won’t last forever.” Don’t Trip also stands out for its hip-hop influence, which offers a well-timed stylistic shift in the middle of the album. Similarly, Snapback Kids reflects on the simplicity of childhood, making way for Reese to regain control and become the “singer of his soundtrack.”
In the final minutes of Tattooed Soul, Reese’s storytelling shifts to the present, and he embraces what is in front of him. The title track signifies a breakthrough on the record, both sonically and lyrically. Reese sings out, “I can feel again” over a high-energy, uninhibited synth-pop chorus. On this song, Reese also explores the balance between hiding away and embracing his challenges, a testament to the vulnerability and contrast explored on the record.
Tattooed Soul wraps up with No Struggle, a full-circle finale that takes listeners back to the suburbs- but with a different perspective than before. Reese takes a step back to see that everyone has their own struggles, and accepts the neighborhood he comes from. Through vulnerable lyrics and a diverse range of instrumentals, Reese makes a strong debut with Tattooed Soul. In doing so, he shows the power of music as a source of community and inspiration.
Eva Fajkowski
