Wilco: Cousin

Our American Cousins

Wilco has spent four years crafting their thirteenth studio album Cousin at their fabled hangout The Loft in Chicago. During that time, they’ve released two albums (2019’s Ode to Joy and 2022’s Cruel Country) and toured extensively. Songwriter, guitarist and frontman Jeff Tweedy helped fans weather the pandemic with The Tweedy Show, an Instagram liveseries starring Tweedy, his wife and sons, plus occasional visits from Wilco bandmates. Eldest son Spencer adds backing vocals throughout Cousin. The close-knit family connections displayed on The Tweedy Show are evident in Tweedy’s recent projects and Cousin is no exception.

“Staring, eye to eye” Jeff Tweedy’s opening line punctuates an ambient instrumental jam to open the first track, “Infinite Surprise” - “If I were only you, and you were only me, what would I be”, he continues over the intriguing instrumentation. The lyrics express a desire to understand the subject without judgement. Throughout his career, Tweedy has explored deeply personal themes of love, family, childhood memories and the individual’s response to social climates. His ability to make personal viewpoints relatable to a wider audience without talking down to the listener is a largepart of Wilco’s multi-generational appeal. In an age of sloganeering, and black and white attitudes toward complex issues, Tweedy’s unpretentious approach to art is a welcome gift. 

Infectious power pop hooks permeate the two singles taken from the disc, the apologetic “Evicted”and infectious and affirming title track “Cousin”. Both tracks display an affinity for melody and concise arrangement that is an underrated tool in Wilco’s musical Swissarmy knife. The band’s affection for 60s baroque pop and vintage country shine through and bring back memories for some listeners while exposing others to new musical horizons. “Ten Dead” shines light on the realities of desensitization to tragedy in our ever connected and increasingly volatile world. On “Pittsburgh”, Tweedy opines “I love the rain and how the rain can turn shit into a rose”. Any attempts to explicate the lyrics on this album will reveal themes of acknowledging hardships and witnessing darkness with compassion. Tweedy’s delivery grows more affecting with the passing of time.

The dichotomy of sonic experimentation and earnest, heartfelt songwriting is the bedrock of Wilco’s musical magic. On Cousin, Tweedy’s poignant lyrics are underscored by sophisticated musical arrangements and impactful performances. Guitarists Nels Cline, Pat Sansone (multi-instrumentalist) and Tweedy himself have learned to balance their individual styles and explore with a sense of urgency. Cline’s improvisational jazz stylings, Sansones’ dynamic power pop licks and Tweedy’s intuitive rhythms all have a turn in the spotlight throughout Cousin. Drummer Glenn Kotche provides an intricate rhythmic backbone and bassist John Stirrat (founding member along with Tweedy) weaves through the music with his characteristically melodic bass lines. Keyboardist Mikael Jorgensen’s atmospheric tones elevate the songs to a dreamlike state. Wilco’s cohesive interplay and vast sonic palette shine give listeners a reason to put Cousin on repeat at home, in the car, alone or with friends. 

Wilco’s discography is a lesson in artistic evolution. Each album has distinct influences, themes and sounds that show listeners a different facet of the band. For Cousin, Wilco entrusted their music to an outside producer for the first time in over a decade. The production choices of singer-songwriter Cate Le Bon are the X factor that gives Cousin a unique feel in a famously diverse catalogue. LeBon’s unique juxtaposition of ambient sounds and organic instrumentation is a perfect match for Wilco’s natural style. As an alumnus of biannual Wilco’s Solid Sound Festival, she has become a musical ally to the band. Her cover of “Company in my Back” was a standout track from Wilcovered the acclaimed 2019 tribute album showcasing a selection of Wilco covers by friends of the band. As a result of a shared artistic vision, Le Bons production and contributions on backing vocals, bass and keyboards blend seamlessly into Wilco’s multi-layered sonic landscape.

Cousin is a thought provoking, but ultimately uplifting portrait of an earnest band and the world where they perform in 2023. Thoughtful, heartfelt lyrics that offer unique insight promote reflection over pontification. Melodies veer off into experimental passages to take the listener on a journey without fear of never returning home. Cate Le Bon’s production is a testament to her own talents as a musician and reminds listeners of Wilco’s generous and familial approach to the creative process. Wilco has never stopped reaching for new sounds and Cousin is a testament to their continued artistry and innovation.