by Ross Holder (@RossHolder8)
Puppy Problems have made a triumphant return with their latest offering. Following their 2018 debut album, Sunday Feeling, Sami Martasian treats us to a charming LP of eight bedroom folk songs courtesy of Montana-based label Anything Bagel. Don't let the twee vibes fool you; this Boston-based band has been far from idle. In 2021, they collaborated on the album rose, water, fountain with fellow Bostonians, bedbug. It's a delight to witness Martasian's reemergence as Puppy Problems, especially with some tracks that have been patiently waiting to be fully recorded – take “Rainbow Flag,” for instance, initially uploaded as an iPhone demo on their Bandcamp in 2019!
Winter in Fruitland wastes no time, clocking in at a total runtime of around fifteen minutes, delivering songs that are succinct, dynamic, and personal. Staying true to Puppy Problem's lo-fi aesthetic from Sunday Feeling, the opening track, “Thinking,” gently beckons us with a mere 59 seconds, ushered in by the distant sounds of bird calls. It feels like a direct entry into Martasian's mind, where we hear the frustrations that arise when others misinterpret our silence – "If I don't say what I'm thinking then you think I'm not thinking."
The aforementioned “Rainbow Flag” picks up the pace ever so slightly, exploring the perplexing relationship with nostalgia that most of us can relate to. Martasian delves into the peculiar experience of listening to Harvard kids throw parties whilst listening to songs their friends wrote back in 2016, a moment in time when their local music scene was flourishing. Instead of criticizing these students for dwelling on the past, Martasian quickly acknowledges their own tendency to idealize by reflecting on their own fixation with 2013. The song ends on a hopeful note, emphasizing a focus on the future – "I don't wanna look back until there is nothing else to look forward to, with you."
“Him or Me” thrives on simplicity and repetition, a formula that works beautifully in this context. Much like “Rainbow Flag,” Bradford Krieger's pedal steel gently weaves behind the vocals, adding a delightful texture. The lyrics paint a portrait of someone at their wit's end, grappling with the dissolution of a relationship. “Big Drink” enters with a sliding bass note, and the subtle stereo effect on the staccato guitar pattern effectively captures the essence of a tipsy night, where thoughts swirl without restraint. If “Big Drink” is the tipsy phase, “Lost Sweater - Disney Wedding” follows as the confused and lonely hangover. Here, a slightly more sinister tone prevails, with the track soaked in reverb and the pedal steel wailing in the background. We wonder if that sweater was ever found…
“In Hell…” wraps up Winter in Fruitland in a manner akin to how it began, with Martasian, acoustic guitars, and the ambient sounds of chirping crickets in the background. While it may be brief, Winter in Fruitland doesn't leave us wanting. Puppy Problems' signature blend of lo-fi soundscapes, intimate lyrics, and contemplative silence is captivating enough to warrant hitting repeat each time the fifteen minute journey draws to a close.