Fazed on a Pony – swan

Peter McCall, the songwriting force behind Fazed on a Pony, has been a fixture in the Aotearoa New Zealand underground for over a decade, operating first out of Dunedin, and more recently in Auckland.

McCall’s work has generally slotted into that little pocket where indie rock meets alternative country—think Silver Jews, MJ Lenderman, and Greg Freeman, with a flash of Stephen Malkmus in his guitar work.

Swan, McCall’s second full-length release, occupies a similar space, but in lieu of reinvention, there is a strong sense of refinement, of both sound and process. It is a well-executed record, a little cleaner and crisper than previous efforts, and McCall’s compositions benefit from the enhanced sense of space afforded to them by De Stevens’ deft production touches. There’s also a broader sonic palette, with pedal steel, fiddle, and even the occasional synth.

There is a recurring lyrical theme throughout swan concerning the mismatch between messy reality and ideal perfection—in music, yes, but also in life. “The Perfect Swan” sets the tone from the off, with its beautiful refrain (“Now, in song, I won’t grade the perfect swan”) hinting at a shift in McCall’s mindset. But there’s an ongoing internal conflict, it seems; on “Time to Turn,” he “can’t wait to write the perfect song,” so perhaps he’s not quite a reformed perfectionist just yet?

This is just as well for us, as “Wrong Party” is arguably the best thing McCall has ever written. Anchored by Hamish Morgan’s insistent beat, the ebb and flow of the guitar work across its three parts is masterful. The gradual build throughout the second section is particularly satisfying.

“Anything Else” brings swan to a close with further contradictions. As McCall’s meandering guitar messily dances over the track’s languid beat, he acknowledges his indecisiveness (“And I’ll never want anything else / Yeah, I always want anything else”), before ending on a cautiously optimistic note.

Swan is an accomplished and brutally honest record that will resonate with fans of MJ Lenderman, Snocaps, and Greg Freeman. New Zealand has a great songwriting lineage and swan confirms Peter McCall’s place in its canon.

Swan is out now via Meritorio and Melted Ice Cream.