EP by AJR, Label – AJR Productions

AJR’s newest EP ‘What No One’s Thinking’ was released  partway through their Somewhere in the Sky Tour, which took place in the summer and fall of this year. 

I was definitely happy to see that they released a new album this year, however, I was surprised when I heard from media outlets that fans and listeners didn’t find the songs to have much depth, so I had to take a listen to see if what others were saying was true.

After listening to the entire album a few times, there are definitely some great instrumentals that were used to change things up compared to their previous work. A few of them didn’t give off the right sounds and music for what they were representing but were still a good listen regardless. 

As someone who enjoys a lot of AJR’s recent songs, this EP lacked a  variety in ideas. With the smaller number of songs, having any overlap can start to get repetitive and sort of bland, which is something many other fans and critics pointed out as well.

The first track of the 5 song EP, “The Plane That Never Lands” has a nostalgic melody, and an underlying message of not wanting to know what is to come, which I enjoy being recognized in a song. “I’d love to see you, but I kind of sort of don’t” has to be my favorite lyric in the song, since there are definitely loved ones you can’t wait to see and friends you miss, but when you know something has to be confronted with them, it may be hard to sit down and receive it. 

Overall, the song has a great way of conveying this message and finding problems or excuses to draw away from what is really important. I think the different sound technique they used, which was using more instrumentals than electric, and less droning of notes was definitely enjoyable to listen to, which is something their usual music techniques might have done.

What I think sets “A Dog Song” apart from the other songs on the album and their other songs in general, is the perspective it uses. It shows the band’s life through the eyes of their dog’s Shay (a poodle), Blue (a new puppy) and Olly (another poodle). It definitely gives the feeling of seeing someone struggle and go through rough patches without being able to understand what they are really going through, but either way you still want what’s best for them, and I find that sentiment heartwarming. 

The lyric, “Last night I found you, staring at the ceiling alone in your room, though I don’t know what it is you’re going through, Buddy, wherever you’re going, I’m going to” was a good way to end the song, since it represents the loyalty of a dog and a good friend where even though you can’t always completely comprehend what someone is going through, you can still support them by just being there beside them.

The next song, “Betty” was one of the few songs that fell short. Whereas the others describe something new in theme, this one felt a little uninspired. 

The song deals with not being ready for commitment and the problems it causes in a relationship, when one person is ready for the next step. It also was lackluster since it had been given a lot of hype by the band with teasers to a song that is okay to listen to but not all that interesting. 

I’d say that the best lyric for this song would have been, “Next time you see your folks at dinner, Just ask your Mom to please, stop pointin’ at your finger, I know she calls me ‘Son’ now, Your dad, he calls me ‘Kid’” since it shows how some people are given a lot of expectations by their loved ones family on things such as marriage. Besides this lyric the rest of the song feels repetitive and repeats the same lyrics, such as “Betty, I really hope you’re on my side/ I really hope you get it.”

“I’m Sorry You Went Crazy” was definitely my favorite song on the album. The song describes reminiscing about a loved one, who has been declining in mental health, and the lyrics, “I’m sorry you went crazy, I’m sorry that I’m saying it so blunt, Everybody says that you look happy, But to me, You just look like someone that I used to love,” drives the message that everyone around them says they look happy, but they can tell that something is clearly wrong with them, and it hurts them. I think it also is interesting that the previous song has lyrics asking to be called back, while in this one they wouldn’t know what to do if the person called them. 

“The Big Goodbye” describes how after gaining fame success starts to change how your life used to be, and while it may feel good having people know you such as when they had gone to L.A, but the lead singer Jack has struggled with this new life and how to handle it. The lyric, “Today I finally get to leave/ Leave this little life I’m used to/ The shows that no one came to/ They’re shrinkin’ in my rearview” describes how it can feel good to finally have success and fame, while the lyrics, “Someone, tell me why? Why I’m all in my head? Why you’re all on my mind? Why it feels like my friends are leavin’ me behind?” describes why they are feeling melancholic about this change in their lives.

It’s similar to an earlier song in their career, “Maybe Man” where it describes what objects and things could be different about his life and while they may sound good in the moment, ultimately aren’t something he would want, such as being rich and famous, because when you are someone with so much others might not be so receptive to when you are struggling. 

Overall, I’d say the album is different to what they have been producing in the past two years, and while some of the songs do that well and give messages that can be comforting to hear about, it can be bland to hear similar melodies and instrumentals. 

Either way I still enjoyed the album and would definitely recommend “A Dog Song” and “The Plane That Never Lands” as my top favorites, with an album rating of 6/10 for its new direction for the band, but somewhat lackluster songs compared to the hype the band had given them.