Christopher Owens, formerly a member of the San Francisco indie stalwarts Girls, released his fourth studio album, I Wanna Run Barefoot Through Your Hair, under his own name Friday. It’s an expansive one, spanning ten songs over 50 minutes. The vibes that the record, Owens’ first since 2015, curates are flawless, feathered and intricate, creating infinite scenarios for the listener to explore hidden in the words and surrounding the music.

Owens demonstrates his prowess at textural, tasteful and atmospheric guitar playing in songs like “Beautiful Horses” and “I Know,” both of which stand out as highlights of the record, featuring sparkling guitar solos and extended instrumental breaks.

The album moves and sways but never falters, calculated in its shifts and changes. The six-minute “I Know” segues seamlessly into “So,” a delicate, everyman’s meditation on breaking up. Owens doesn’t leave much up for interpretation lyrically on “Distant Drummer” either, confessing his loyalty to someone in spite of the temptation of the distant drummer’s beckon, and in spite of the places this someone may have already led him to.

“Two Words” continues to explore what seem to be Owens’ tendencies to love persistently. He begins the song with “Here I am feeling down again/You made me feel like a clown again/Treat me like a tool/To use me til you’re through,” before singing “Here I am with an open heart/All I wanted was to be a part/But for you it’s not the same/To you it’s just a game.” The lyrics’ simplicity almost masks the true devastation that feelings such as these can bring to the
forefront.

It could be argued that the album’s second half is a step behind its first, but such a thing is inevitable given the strength of the run of songs tucked in the heart of the record. The punches and feelings that songs like “Beautiful Horses” or “I Think About Heaven” pack will stick with listeners throughout the duration of the record, like the sounds of distant waves from a highbeach vantage point.

I Wanna Run Barefoot Through Your Hair is an incredible record. It’s not perfect, but as is explored in the record, is that ever really the goal? With his fourth solo record, Owens has demonstrated lyrical and musical subtleties and restraints that are sure to catapult this release to the top of his discography. A must-listen for anyone who’s ever been in the type of love that doesn’t always get a light shone on it.

order I Wanna Run Barefoot Through Your Hair HERE