The Underdog (GUM album)

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The Underdog
GUM's fourth studio album The Underdog album cover.jpg
Studio album by
GUM
ReleasedApril 6, 2018
Recorded2017-18
GenrePop/Rock, Alternative Rock, Indie Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Neo-Psychedelia[1][2]
Length38:10
LabelSpinning Top Music
ProducerJay Watson
GUM chronology
Flash in the Pan
(2016) 		The Underdog
(2018) 		Out In the World
(2020)

The Underdog is the fourth studio album by Australian multi-instrumentalist musician Jay Watson's music moniker GUM. The album was released on April 6, 2018 in Australia by Spinning Top Music.[3] The album was produced, mixed and recorded by Jay Watson himself, with additional drums by fellow Australian multi-instrumentalist musician Kevin Parker, at his home studio. The album is considered to the most consistent record that Watson had released as GUM as of 2018.[4][5] Talking about the album, Watson said that, "I kind of just don’t really think about the kind of music I’m trying to make anymore as much. I’ve kind of just – it kinda sounds really cliché but I kinda just do stuff and then whatever it is, it is, you know."[6]

Reception[]

The Underdog was described as "a collection and combination of various genres – from 80s disco, 90s hip-hop, all the way through to the familiar electronic-style psychedelia"[7] and "dreamy, psychedelic pop that's a touch synth-heavy."[8] Writing for Under the Radar Magazine, Michael Watkins wrote, "[The album] feels stagnated and regressive, which ultimately results in the album that is an interesting enough listen, but one that won’t live long in the memory or heart of the listener."[9] According to Pitchfork's Stuart Berman, "[The album] is built from the same toolkit as GUM’s previous releases—psychedelia, prog, ‘70s soft rock, disco, electro—but smooths out their pastiche quality and dials down the eccentricity to create a more seamless song cycle."[10] Reviewing the album on behalf of the DIY Mag, James Bentley wrote, "[This album is] a space-age soul anthem straight from the book of Todd Rundgren, it packs enough bass licks to make Stevie Wonder blush, alongside a dizzying stack of rocket-launch electronics and fuzzy synths."[11]

Tracks[]

All tracks are written by Jay Watson.

No.TitleLength
1."Introduction"1:53
2."The Underdog"3:10
3."S.I.A"3:47
4."Serotonin"3:57
5."After All (From The Sun)"4:37
6."Rehearsed In A Dream"3:44
7."Couldn't See Past My Ego"3:00
8."The Blue Marble"4:46
9."Trying My Best"3:36
10."The Fear"5:46
Total length:38:10

References[]

  1. ^ "The Underdog - GUM | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic".
  2. ^ "Gum – the Underdog (2018, Cassette)".
  3. ^ "Getting "sticky, sweet and a little gross" with Tame Impala's Jay Watson on GUM". RIFF Magazine. 2018-04-12. Retrieved 2021-05-31.
  4. ^ "GUM: The Underdog review". Spectrum Culture. 2018-04-26. Retrieved 2021-05-31.
  5. ^ Jardine, Ben. "GUM - Jay Watson of Tame Impala and POND on His New Solo Album "The Underdog"". Under the Radar. Retrieved 2021-05-31.
  6. ^ Webb, Dan (2018-04-18). "Tame Impala's Jay Watson talks fame, drugs and tennis — Sungenre Interview". Sungenre. Retrieved 2021-05-31.
  7. ^ "Interview: Jay Watson A.K.A GUM Tells Us About His Latest Album, 'The Underdog'". Life Without Andy. Retrieved 2021-05-31.
  8. ^ "The Underdog review". The Music. Retrieved 2021-05-31.
  9. ^ Watkins, Michael. "The Underdog". Under the Radar. Retrieved 2021-05-31.
  10. ^ "GUM: The Underdog". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2021-05-31.
  11. ^ Subscribe. "GUM - The Underdog | Reviews". DIY (magazine). Retrieved 2021-05-31.
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