Liam Kazar : Pilot Light

I came across Liam Kazar four years ago. A song of his popped up randomly while streaming music one afternoon and it made an impression. Singer/songwriter from Chicago that was a chef before concentrating on songwriting, his music is very much in the pop category. But pop like Tom Petty, Talking Heads, Wilco, and Jackson Browne are pop. Music created with instruments and human connection, not music out of a box.

Since then I’ve obsessed over his first record Due North, and have been anxiously awaiting that album’s follow-up. My patience has been rewarded with Liam Kazar’s sophomore record titled Pilot Light. Kazar has honed in his songwriting to a fine point. The songs are catchy, fun, engaging, and thoughtful with an emotional heft. His time spent in Jeff Tweedy’s live band has given Kazar’s music a direction and heaviness that has made Pilot Light one of the best singer/songwriter albums of the year.

The album opens on title track “Pilot Light”, a slow-building and melodically rich song layered in electric piano, subtle drums, and Kazar’s soulful vocal delivery. Kazar’s vocals are a soothing and integral part of the music here, giving everything a breathy and human touch. He’s more restrained on this follow-up, and that adds to the depth of these songs. “Day Off” is a tribute to a last minute decision to call in to work. Friends, food, board games, and just hanging out should take precedent over punching the clock. Acoustic guitars, violins, and rich vocal harmonies make this song infectious. And “The Word The War” has a Traveling Wilburys vibe and you can’t get enough of it. Little melodic twists and turns makes this one of the best tracks I’ve heard this year.

Liam Kazar’s music harkens back to the times when guys like Tom Petty, Jackson Browne, and Warren Zevon were on the radio and putting out great songs that would ultimately end up timeless. Adults making adult music, and somehow dominating the radio dial. Songs like “Didn’t I”, “Listening”, and “Try Again” combine emotional heft, intricate musicianship, and storytelling into something that feels easy to access and universal. Alex G, Blake Mills, and MJ Lenderman do very similar things. Kazar is right there with them. Closer “Next Time Around” captures the soul and gentle sway of Lowell George, both with Little Feat and his fantastic only solo LP.

I can’t recommend Liam Kazar’s excellent Pilot Light enough. One of the best records of the year.