You know those songs that make you want to turn your stereo all the way up, jump on your bed, and forget the rest of the world for a little bit? That’s pretty much Flint Eastwood’s new EP, Small Victories, in a nutshell. The album uses a larger-than-life, danceable sound to express significant loss. Somehow, even pain and sorrow seem surmountable when Jax Anderson (now the solo member of Flint Eastwood) sings about them over synth-laden pop chords.
Recorded in Detroit’s second oldest church, now the headquarters for Assemble Sound, the record was a way for Anderson to cope with the death of her mother. It is an examination of the complicated emotions associated with losing a companion and an inspiration, made accessible through compelling arrangements from producer (and Jax’s brother) Seth Anderson. Small Victories challenges traditional tropes of sadness by transforming them into celebratory anthems of perseverance.
“Find What You’re Looking For” opens the album on a literal high note, as Anderson’s iconic voice soars over a primal, start-stop drum pattern that persists throughout the song. The multi-layered crooning is contrasted with the delicate breathiness she employs in the verses, emphasizing the song’s sincerity. The track was written shortly after her mother passed away, and their connection is palpable in the emotional lyrics, which convey a fear of loss. But rather than allow “Find What You’re Looking For” to devolve into a lament for her late mother, Anderson transforms it into an optimistic ode to a woman who encouraged her to take the road less traveled.
“Glitches” carries forward the same energy from the opening track and uses fuzzy synths, slamming drums, and static bass to create a tension-filled background indicative of day-to-day pressures. The song continues to grow, culminating in a fantastic wall of sound. Immediately following the bold conclusion of “Glitches” comes “Monster,” a track that employs the same buzzing synths but opts for spare drum machine beats, creating a more sensitive sound. Though the sentiments shared in both songs are comparable, the juxtaposition of the boldness of “Glitches” and the minimalism of “Monster” feels almost like a resolution to the anxieties expressed by Anderson. It’s an upswing from inescapable sadness to tentative acceptance and a realization that “everybody hurts sometimes” but that ultimately, “we’ll be alright.”
A twanging guitar starts “Oblivious” and is quickly punctuated by chattering drums and bopping synths. Anderson sings about avoidance, opening the song with “keep my eyes closed/ keep my mind oblivious.” She encourages listeners to absorb the world around them, to “slow down/ make it count,” instead of ignoring their environment.
“God Only Knows” brings to life the messy range of emotions associated with bereavement in a way that anyone can relate to. The song opens with “last year, I lost my best friend” and goes on to express a desire to discuss said loss — the familiar beginning to acceptance. Anderson’s grief has given her a new perspective, a new understanding of the world around her. By the end of the track, she realizes she’ll “be just fine,” despite the pain she may be experiencing at the moment.
Small Victories ends on an upbeat note, with the title track letting listeners know that even if times get tough, the small victories make it worth it. The chorus features Anderson singing “I’m a champion” over a syncopated beat. The infectious energy gives the impression that anything is conquerable if you maintain a positive outlook.
Flint Eastwood has achieved the impossible, making an album about loss without succumbing to morose, clichéd lyricism and mellow composition. Small Victories is a reminder that life is often difficult and unfair, but you have the ability to overcome that, and when you do, you should revel in your strength. The LP is Anderson’s way of coming to terms with not just the death of her own mother, but with the universal loss we all experience. It is also a celebration of each day getting a little easier. And in the end, it is a damn good album sure to make you dance.
Celebrate the release of Small Victories on Saturday, November 14 in a warehouse across from Two James Spirits, where Tunde Olaniran and Parlour Tricks will perform alongside the Anderson siblings. You won’t want to miss Flint Eastwood’s electrifying live performance, but in the meantime, you can whet your appetite and stream Small Victories below.