SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: IVY – TRACES OF YOU

IVY
TRACES OF YOU
BAR/NONE RECORDS

After Adam Schlesinger passed away in 2020, Andy Chase and Dominique Durand assumed that Ivy was in the rearview mirror. However, after working on recent reissues of their back catalogue, Chase and Durand discovered some unfinished songs, song fragments, and demos, and with the blessing of Schlesinger’s family, they started to flesh out some of the songs fully. With the help of Ivy’s backing keyboardist and guitarist Bruce Driscoll and a handful of collaborators, including some of Schlesinger’s Fountains of Wayne bandmates, Traces Of You came to fruition.

Ivy only worked on demos that had contributions from Schlesinger. Something that was of great importance for the band was that Schlesinger’s parts had to be used for the songs and fit seamlessly. This is done superbly as his touch can be heard throughout Traces Of You. “Say You Will” was built from a 2009 demo where Schlesinger played bass and keyboards. The bouncy, groovy bass line majestically combines with the soft, melodic acoustic guitar lines and Durand’s gentle vocals. Meanwhile, the 60s pop-tinged “Mystery Girl” perfectly incorporates an acoustic guitar part Schlesinger had been working on, adding to the enchanting and twinkling soundscape.

Lyrically, Traces Of You is full of genuine emotion; each lyric very clearly coming from the heart. In the poignant and tender “Hate That It’s True,” Ivy explores the theme of eternal love. It is a powerful sendoff for the record as it ends with Durand and Chase gorgeously whispering “I still love you” against melancholic instrumentation and stunningly dreamy atmosphere. On the other hand, “Fragile People” touches upon grief and the fragility of life in a universal way and is sure to connect deeply with people who have recently lost a loved one.

A main standout is “Heartbreak,” which will instantly transport fans back to Ivy’s 1997 album, Apartment Life. The track boasts a joyously upbeat sound, featuring phenomenal trumpets, infectious energy, and a sing-along chorus. If you are looking for a new song to blast in the summer, then this needs to be on your playlist. Another highlight is “The Great Unknown”, which sees Ivy channelling an entertaining electro rock sound with super catchy hooks and fascinating production.

Overall, Traces Of You is a beautifully touching tribute to Schlesinger.

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