The only thing that Zakary Miller takes seriously on his latest album is having a good time. I’m New Here is pure sunshine during a time when the world feels particularly grey.
In the words of The Basin Brother’s Chase Ross, Zakary Miller was born a Torontonian, but it needn’t be mentioned beyond that. Ross wholeheartedly endorses Miller as an Upper Canadian-born musician, born-again as a Maritimer, honorary and accepted into the fold.
“Zak moved to the Annapolis Valley (and bought my old family home) with his bride-to-be Franny a few years ago and they quickly assimilated into the community,” explains Ross “A year ago, this time I invited the young couple to join my family for Easter dinner. My parent’s initial reluctance for strangers at the dinner table faded quickly, and how could it not? Zakary and Franny both possess an irresistible down-home charm. They display a genuine desire to plant roots in a place that needs their energy and vibe, they focus solely on the present and future, their time in the city matters not, they have always been here.
“I tell that story to describe the person Zakary Miller introduces on his new album I’m New Here. Zak displays his true nature, he is unassuming, cordial, funny, happy, open and honest. His songs hold these qualities in spades, his writing wears a heart on every sleeve. I’ve watched Zak perform in rooms of many sizes, with audiences varying the same. His banter, canter, and contagious smile never changes, even when cracking a whip at the poison hawking conglomerate on the barren desert sounding “Monsanto”. A song that evokes sonic imagery of future environmental desolation this company will inevitably create. Zak sings of their evil ways, his shit-eating grin saying ‘Come at me….’
“Zak takes the stage as a bandleader, bringing Canadiana Western Swing to the year 2020. He carries the mantel of the yodellers, the cowboys, the gypsy-jazz cats, and one plywood stomping Canadian Minstrel all on his own. There is no burden of responsibility when you make it all sound so fun.”
That’s about as strong an endorsement as anyone can offer, and in keeping with the character of Miller’s album.
The album is a patchwork of the most upbeat veins of swing, jazz, and folk. Miller encouraged his fellow musicians who worked on the album with him to be silly and improvise – and it shows. There’s an unpredictable element to many of the songs, with random hollers and instrumental flourishes that keep you on your toes.
“Switcharoo” shows this trend at its peak, with the constant brassy flourish of horns and random background chatter. Meanwhile, “Best Friends” has an absolute fever dream of an intro/outro combination.
This quirky feel is present right from the warped horns on the opening of “5 Little Berries.” This song sets the precedent for the rest of the album. It’s decidedly nostalgic, sounding much like the songs you used to hear drifting from the radio of your parents’ crappy truck. This replication of that classic sound comes across without sounding like it’s trying too hard, while also bringing a few modern spins. This is aided by the combination of original songs and covers, like “T.B. Blues”, originally by Jimmie Rodgers.
For the most part, the storytelling stays light enough to match with its sunny packaging. “Hangry” is an antsy song that feels like it’s constantly building, perfectly replicating the urgent feeling of being so hungry that you can’t see straight. Meanwhile “One-Eyed Hog” chronicles the moment when you realize you’ve had one too many.
Still, Miller does take a few detours to deal with some more serious topics. On “Monçanto!”, he puts a wild western filter on a modern capitalist dilemma, painting an insidious corporation as an old-timey villain. It’s a political, environmental issue that causes plenty of people around the world grief, but Miller manages to put a lighthearted spin on the subject. “Pizza the Dog” slows things down a bit, is a bit softer, but there’s still some upbeat trumpet and yodelling to keep the mood high.
While there’s plenty to be down about these days, it’s clear Miller isn’t letting it get him down. Instead of drawing such inspiration that would come easily to others, he buckles down and tackles the daunting task of spreading joy. And it works – the album is positively grin-inducing.