Chad VanGaalen does it all–not only does he create his music completely on his own, but he also illustrates the artwork for his albums and animates his own music videos. He’s one of those rare people where all of his talents all seem to match up, allowing for him to put forth an artistic vision that’s truly all his own. His latest album World’s Most Stressed Out Gardener is no exception to this rule.
In keeping with the VanGaalen style, there’s a goofy sense of humor that permeates the entire album. Yet this project also seems to be his most wistful and melancholic record to date. Earlier efforts such as Diaper Island lean more into the comedic aspect of his oeuvre, and his previous record, Light Information tackled the almost psychedelic overtones and distortion that anxiety brings to the experience that is life. Stressed Out Gardner approaches these existential topics at a greater, more detached distance. Some songs, such as “Flute Peace” and “Earth from a Distance” serve as reminders that the world exists at a broader scope than our own internal struggles, bucking against the relationship of the singer-songwriter narrative.
Other songs bring us into the tiny inner worlds of characters. “Samurai Sword” pairs humorous, offbeat lyrics with a charmingly homey instrumental and a painstakingly animated music video. The specificity of the lyrics paints mental pictures for the listener–the opening lines of the album, “She wanted the sculpture to represent good living/ but it’s tempered by emotion and nausea”, depict something that really stretches the imagination. “Where Is It All Going?” is reminiscent of the Gauguin painting Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going? with its dreamy musings and languidly relaxed melody. There’s a fantastical believability to this exquisitely constructed world.
(Museum of Fine Arts, Boston)
The careful attention to detail is not limited to the lyrics on this album–Vangaalen seems to be a collector of sounds. The aforementioned “Samurai Sword” starts with a beat played on copper pipes. “Nothing Is Strange” conjures a strange, cobbled together marching band to fill out its sound. Vocal effects play a heavy role in making up the sound of the album as well, and there’s a strong affinity towards droning melodies, further connecting World’s Most Stressed Out Gardner with a sense of spirituality.
The contrast between the expansive inner world of an individual and the vast universe outside of us highlights the surreality that is existing. Rather than trying to freak the listener out, VanGaalen implores for us to accept these facts and perhaps learn to marvel at them rather than engage in crippling existential dread. It seems as though the global pandemic has brought concerns about the pace of modern life to the forefront of Vangaalen’s mind, as it has done for many. It has become unbearably apparent that each day so easily blends together without a concerted effort to distinguish one from the next through action. And, although quarantine has made this more obvious, it was easy to fall into this even before our lives were upended.
World’s Most Stressed Out Gardner offers a mix of contemporary and timeless observations. Even in Chad VanGaalen’s discography, it fits in, yet brings distinct and fresh elements to the table. The complex artistic vision put forth on this project is a privilege to experience. It’s absolutely wonderful to listen to an album with such a distinct philosophy and distinguished thought behind it that doesn’t fall into the trap of stuffy self-importance.
