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EP: Bark Mulch
Artist: Dawson Gool
Release Date: February 20, 2025
Sub-Genres: #IndieFolk #IndieRock
Description:
Bark Mulch is Dawson Gool’s second EP, following his previous EP January, Backdoor from 2022. Gool is a Canadian singer-songwriter that reminisces on past relationships and his childhood through Bark Mulch. Gool combines traditional instruments like the pedal steel and banjo with illustrative storytelling that really paint a picture through his descriptive lyricism.
The opening track “This” details emotions after experiencing a breakup. Through the lyrics,
This
This is getting torn apart
Curse your head despite your heart
This is 50 car alarms
Where he draws influence from Patti Smith’s Instagram posts that start with “This is” before delving into describing her posts. “This” was written back in the summer of 2022 merely as a writing exercise, but was later recorded in the fall of 2023, and then released as a single in February last year. “This” is a short and sweet opening song that is both emotional and intimate which carries on in the following track, “Tall”.
“Tall” is the following song that holds that indie-twang sound with the help of the pedal steel and banjo. The production on this song was executed so well. The layering of pedal steel, banjo, and the build up on the drums, all culminate together to make a warm and pleasing song.
“Landscape” is my favorite song. The combinations of pedal steel, drums, and the dynamic shift to a more indie rock sound caught my attention. He repeatedly sings,
You paint everything you see
The landscape looks different to me but it’s been
a while
Which is such a beautiful way of showing perspectives and his observational lyrics. He describes dents in the hardwood, basking in a sliver of sun, and counting the tiles on the ceiling. I interpreted Gool’s lyrics as the art of noticing by drawing meaning from the world around you and looking through someone else’s eyes.
“Dogs” dives deeply into the imagery of a home, where he draws from nostalgia and memories in time. He recalls memories of the neighbors’ dogs and details of his home that give it character, like the chipped paint and the carpet that they hated.
“Bark Mulch” is a perfect song to wrap everything up in a warm blanket. Gool reaches into his childhood of warm summer days in a small town spreading bark mulch across the yard. His lyrics evoke feelings of nostalgia with, “Pollen sky / Burn my feet as I walk along the road” and “Tape me on the fridge again”, which makes me recall my own memories of walking barefoot outside during hot summer days. Though I wouldn’t recommend going barefoot in Arizona summers, unless you are ready for scorching hot pavement.
If you like indie folk music with influences of country and rock, I would highly recommend you to give this EP a listen. If I said the lyricism of Adrianne Lenker met the indie-twang of MJ Lenderman but toned down, would you understand what I am getting at?
Gool is currently on his west coast tour, where he is visiting 9 cities from Washington to California and concluding with a hometown show in Vancouver, BC. So if you’re lucky enough that he visits your city, it would be a shame not to go.
RIYL:
Adrianne Lenker
Field Medic
Florist
Merce Lemon
Recommended Tracks:
Landscape
Tall
This
Bark Mulch
Dogs
Reviewer’s Name: K Galich
Date of Review: February 25, 2025
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