by Kris Handel
Jen Bender is the frontperson for Cusp, a recent transplant to Chicago from upstate New York, whose debut full length, You Can Do It All, comes out May 5th. It is an album that puts a wide range of technique and emotion on display. Bender's songwriting touches on personal anxieties and questions of over-extending oneself in situations that are of great risk ("It's Not My Job), handled with lovely sentiment and a deft hand. Cusp are unafraid to bring disjointed noise and anger into play, but also show off a softer edge through moments of beautiful keyboard melodies and Bender's vocals that can creep towards higher ranges when necessary. The band mix up tempos and change things up to provide a complete picture of their aesthetic and willingness to upend expectations, bringing new life to the songs on their debut.
Cusp show their melodic skill with a wobbly jangle similar to early Speedy Ortiz via flitting guitar work from Bender and Gaelen Bates on songs like "Dead Things Talk" and "Inside Out" where Bender employs a more conversational vocal style. There is also a bit of a dream-pop delivery at points on the album, floating through and quite ear catching while carrying a bit more vulnerability and emotional weight on 'You Can't Do It All” and "It's Not My Job". Cusp throw a lot of texture into their songs and melodies that often lift these tracks close to transcendence. There is a musical connection that is a great example of working in lock-step with each other. When it's all said and done You Can Do It All is a very welcome and impactful introduction to a versatile and creative band that is willing to do the work and dig into the dirt of their inner world.