Hamilton’s own B.A. Johnston brings sad boy summer into full swing on his latest album aptly titled I Don’t Know Who Needs to Hear This Right Now But They Are Never Coming Back and You Will Die Alone. Known for his irreverent approach to storytelling, B.A. Johnston packs each of the 16 new tracks with lyrics that demand an immediate re-listen, and maybe a wellness check.
B.A. Johnston holds the rare allure of artists whose music has been bootlegged and circulated through your older siblings questionable friend group – Usually in the form of a cassette with scratched handwriting, incorrect track names, and stains that range from hash burns to condiment smears. B.A. Johnston has built a reputation that cannot be bought or faked, but through music that is rooted so deep in reality it has to be delivered with a punchline to avoid crying. Living somewhere in Ti-Cat Country, B.A. Johnston has made a career on the strength of his ability to weave stories that are densely populated by regional references, humour, and staggeringly spot-on (listen to “Dayoff Is A Dayoff”) in their purpose.
Released June 18, his twelfth album makes two things clear: His songwriting and delivery has never been better; and if you relate to this album – seek help immediately. Presented with album art featuring B.A Johnston at the counter on Edward Hopper’s iconic Nighthawks painting and staring at a depressed looking Bert Racoon, you should know what you’re in for. On I Don’t Know Who Needs to Hear This Right Now But They Are Never Coming Back and You Will Die Alone, B.A. Johnston articulates the absurdity that follows a breakup through catchy and chaotic songs.
Taking on a “Break-Up Album”, B.A. Johnston forgoes the traditional bleeding heart malaise and delivers absolutely devastating tracks that feel a little too real, but so specific it reminds the listener it isn’t about them specifically. In this story following the break, B.A. Johnston sings about a gamut of subjects that shouldn’t work, but they sure do for him. Does hunting down the Mothman to escape an aching heart sound like the right move? Does conjuring a demon to ask for relationship advice feel right? How about building a time machine to go back and stop yourself from saying “I Love You”? In the world of B.A. Johnston, all of these things are possibilities and are honestly a breath of fresh air amongst the many, many, MANY break up albums.
I Don’t Know Who Needs to Hear This Right Now But They Are Never Coming Back and You Will Die Alone is the Jagged Little Pill of the Costco Hot Dog and domestic tall boy demographic. B.A. Johnston as a tailspin troubadour delivers a fantastically flawed approach to the classic heartbreak journey that should be classified as an instant classic and a case study for whatever the hell is wrong with him. Let it be known, B.A. Johnston is a rare and exceptional talent who finds humour in horror and his approach to heartbreak might help jumpstart anyone going through however many steps there are between heartbreak and healing.
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Hamilton, Ontario.
