The official press release for Katy Kirby’s Cool Dry Place states that it came together “After a series of painful failures to complete a record that reflected the temperament of those songs.” That’s not a statement you include in your official PR if you haven’t worked tirelessly to capture your songs in their most desired form. The results of these efforts are clear when listening to the record, Kirby has crafted an infectiously catchy album of pop songs that are cut with melancholy and introspective observations from start to finish.
As luck would have it, we’ve been tuned in to some versions of these songs since 2018 and can confirm that the changes over time were positive enhancements. The official video for “Juniper,” the second track from the record, does an excellent job of paying service to the song with a simple and varied performance from Kirby. Intercut scenes between a cyc wall, a Brooklyn garden and a brimming kitchen table keep you locked in for the duration.
There’s no bad jumping off point for getting into Kirby’s work but if “Juniper” doesn’t whet your appetite for more, you should be asking yourself some serious questions about what you’re looking for out of music.