From Notes to Narratives

Ever found yourself dancing to a catchy tune, only to discover the lyrics tell a different story? That’s exactly how AJR’s songs will leave you feeling after listening to their most recent album, “The Maybe Man”.

It’s the same experience that I had when a friend recommended it for me to listen and since then it has led to me becoming a fan of the band. AJR is an indie pop band composed of the three brothers with bass player Adam, main vocalist Jack, and the all-rounder pianist Ryan Met who were born and raised in New York City.

Their band formed in 2005, as the Met brothers got their start by busking around the city doing song covers from bands such as The Beach Boys, Fun. and Vampire Weekend. One of their videos managed to catch the attention of famous Australian pop singer, Sia Furler, whose manager put the band in contact with former Columbia president Steve Greenberg as he then signed on to be AJR’s manager.

The brothers write, produce, and mix their songs which are a mix of harmonies, electronic, and other styles that are often being described as ‘eclectic’. Their songs just have that kind of vibe that you couldn’t help but bop your head to. The trio first debuted and gained traction with their independent single from their 2015 Living Room album track “I’m Ready” placing number 27 on the Billboard Mainstream Top 40 charts.

They’ve continued to land in the Top 40 Billboard 200 with their 2017 ‘The Click’ along with their other two albums that they’ve released with records such as 2019’s “Neotheatre” and 2021’s “OK Orchestra”. In November 2023, AJR released their fifth studio album “The Maybe Man” and listening to this one, in particular, will leave you with a feeling of nostalgia and a huge existential crisis. AJR is known to produce the kind of songs with joyous, expansive, and celebratory music about people who question themselves to the point that they’ll feel bad.

In an Interview by NPR, one of the brothers, Ryan, sheds light on the band's nuanced approach to songwriting and the exploration of their album’s themes. He articulates their perspective as not merely depressing, but it’s also grounded in realism—a reflection of a person’s life and its inherent complexities and challenges.

Ryan emphasizes their endeavor to strike a balance between delving into deep conversations that we’re too afraid to speak of while infusing their music with moments that could also remind us that despite all of those things, life could still be okay. "We're not depressing people," Ryan asserts, "but we're also kind of realistic people."

He elaborates further on their creative process, highlighting the intentional incorporation of these contrasting elements. "If we're going to talk about something really deep," he explains, "let's add a little juxtaposition in there."

This juxtaposition manifests in various forms, from upbeat rhythms to quirky production choices, serving as reminders that amidst life's grueling moments, there’s a little bit of light that you could find in those dark times. This nuanced approach to songwriting adds depth to their music, resonating with listeners who appreciate an honest exploration of the human experience, tempered with the reassurance that, amidst the chaos, there can be glimpses of positivity.

Starting with the opening track on their album, the song “Maybe Man” introduces a recurring theme that can be found throughout the album, wherein Jack grapples with this sense of self-uncertainty, expressing a desire to be something other than his current self. Each verse delves into a particular trait he wishes to possess, often associating it with an object embodying that quality—a stone symbolizing how he wanted to be unfeeling, a favorite song that encapsulates joy and the novelty of becoming a giant.

However, each envisioned positive quality is juxtaposed with negative connotations, giving another perspective to the things that he wanted to have. The final verse expresses Jack's frustration with his lack of self-identity, hinting that he finds who he is through his role as an artist entertaining his fans. This sentiment sets up the stage for the album's chaotic outro, emphasizing the thematic "pandemonium" that unfolds in the following tracks.

When AJR was finalizing their fifth studio album, they faced a heartbreaking moment as their dad who had been their biggest supporter, attending every single one of their shows, had passed away due to cancer. Dealing with the weight of this grief and anxiety, the brothers channeled all of their emotions into a song titled “God is Really Real” dedicated to their late father.

This track encapsulates the feeling of having to lose someone in your family, the feeling of grief and hopelessness that you’d have when you already know that the person hasn’t had much time to live. No matter how much you make jokes to lighten up the mood, nothing could ever prepare you for the moment that you’ve finally lost the person who meant the entire world to you.

In the midst of life's ups and downs, AJR's "The Maybe Man" album serves as both a mirror and a beacon of hope. Through its eclectic blend of sounds and heart-rending storytelling, listeners are invited to embark on a journey of self-reflection and resilience, discovering solace and inspiration in the melodies and lyrics crafted by this band of brothers. Like the last line from their “Neotheatre” album “Finale” track, we can’t wait to see what they do next.