by Kris Handel (@khandel84)
Chinook is the full length solo debut from Mallory Hawk, a record that presents a wide array of styles and emotions. She delves deep into it all with grace and a learned knowledge that comes from years of experience in the world of the music industry. Hawk has had her hands in many bands at various points in her career as well as contributing to the operations of record labels and countless other artistic projects. After years living in metropolitan parts of the country she moved to her her home state of North Carolina, tapping into a wealth of feelings and a bit of recuperation before working towards finishing these recordings and moving to Philadelphia. Chinook finds Hawk reaching toward yearning reflections of her childhood as she searches to figure out life's constant changes. Those events work their way into her punk fandom with noisy bursts of determination and a powerful growth.
“The Mirror” kicks off Chinook with haunting synths and slow drumming as Hawk’s vocals share some resemblance to Low’s Mimi Parker. Guitars echo before the pulse begins to race and a frantic, clanging energy takes over. Hawk’s vocals start to carry an urgency as her and Samuel Acchione’s guitars pierce and whiz energetically over a propulsive and limber rhythm section before the gorgeous haze overwhelms its surroundings. “4 O’ Clocks” has an introspective folk foundation as spidery guitar weaves around her multitracked vocals and Tree Palmedo’s aching flugelhorn interjections. The beauty and unsteadiness of humanity and nature is prevalent in Hawk’s songwriting as even pain is something to learn from, forging a path forward as her vocals float with a sense of belonging and perseverance.
“Caretaker” features Hawk dealing with outside perception and fighting to assert her independence and self-worth as societal pressures may dictate otherwise. The track has assertive phrasing over spiky post-punk stuttering, Craig Hendrix’s forcefully pounding drums, and a bass line that weaves through Magazine-like dives and keyboard squiggles. “Rotten Man” tackles the relationship between child and parents with a sensitivity and approach of castigating, taking love and caring for granted while heartfully appreciating the sacrifices made with sincere gratitude. The sparse but powerful storytelling is graced with a jazzy shuffle and warbling organ as Hawk’s vocals sway breathily. The narrative’s pendulum switches to questioning if the same considerations would be given to the guardians as time passes.
Chinook is a deep exploration of everything around oneself and the impact that awareness, love, and embracing all facets of life have on your surroundings and well-being when handled with compassion. The versatility in Hawk’s approach pays dividends as the audience will be entranced by each path she decides to explore and the energy and vulnerability that is displayed along the way. There is so much joy in these songs that even while tackling insecurity or anger it’s remarkable that the recording exudes a warmth through it all. Hawk has managed to pull from the lessons she has learned through her various creative endeavors to emerge with a record that is full of life and wit, this is a “debut” that shows it has well been worth the wait.