Album Review // Common Spence // Floor Time

Self-released

4.5/5 stars

The debut EP from Erie-based singer-songwriter Common Spence comes in strong. With so many thoughts being tossed out at once, it may overwhelm weaker listeners, but it's utterly thrilling to this one. The opening track "no meds :(" starts out like an ADHD preamble of sorts, a stream-of-consciousness listing filled with detail, nuance, and dark humor. Spencer's work exists along the continuum of creators like AJJ, Kate Micucci, Phranc, and Mal Blum, a cross-section of artists capable of sort of frantic beauty in self-analysis. The album's slower and more melodic tracks like "long distance lovesickness" and "hit the bottom" show a different side of Spencer's work, with some breathing room that lets the listener take in their voice, one filled with sympathy and knowledge beyond their years. Produced by Sarah Haggerty, the production is perfectly sparse and exactly what's needed for such an intimate set. As the closing and titular track returns to the nearly breathless delivery of the opener, it's evenly bookended. One of the brightest new songwriters to come along in years, Common Spence is an artist to watch, and one that could become extremely important to a certain swath of fans.