I Know I'm Funny Haha (studio album) by Faye Webster

"I Know I'm Funny Haha" shows Faye Webster solidifying her sound. Faye has created this blend of country guitars and light R&B vocals that set her apart from the indistinct singer song writer norm. "Cheers" in particular has a fantastic guitar breakdown at the end. The contrast is the song writing. Webster will introduce an intriguing idea and it will be stopped after two of three lines. Greater exploration is needed for the audience to really connect with feelings. Webster has her sound, now she needs to deepen it.

From AlvaroIesus 09/23/2021 23:52

Fav tracks: better distractions, sometimes, cheers.

From Mercury 07/22/2021 17:21

(This is a really expertly written and performed and slickly produced singer/songwriter album with subtle alt-country, soft/pop rock and country soul elements, as well as both tear-jerking romantic tracks along with more weary and detached songs that touch on that feeling that is so relatable - to me anyway - of having a million possible ways to go but not wanting to do anything. Anyway, its just a solid album. I'd even so its GREAT album but I don't want to be hyperbolic. lol I am always hyperbolic.)

I like the slick production here and how it subtly mixes alt-country and occasional country soul and indie rock flavors so that you (or at least I) can barely see the lines between the sounds. I love the earnest vocal delivery of Webster, and her off-handed humour. Going in based off the title of the album I thought it would be this long running, self-aware joke stream, and I wasn't really wanting that. But the actual album is mostly played straight with occasional moments of dark and latently agonized humour and jokes.

The themes are relatable. The state of mind of a person aimless and full of slight dread. I relate to this strange feeling of slow drowning. And Faye Webster, being a markedly brilliant songwriter and musician, manages to take these themes and nail them in a few songs and a few words.

Maybe its just the fact that there is a laugh written into the lyrics, and maybe it has something to do with a somewhat similar musical DNA, but parts of this album and especially the title track reminded me of the classic Lisa Germano album "Happiness". Germano's record was substantially darker and more clearly anguished, but this album feels like it shares a state-of-mind.

I'm kind of rambling. Full disclosure, this is one of those albums that I vibe with so much and just fits me like a glove, that its hard to do anything but soak it in and sit and take in the beauty of having artists that can reflect your own feelings so deftly. I need to mention that the production, again, is stellar. Its so clean and so perfect and the bass lines slither and are so sexy, the little steel guitar embellishments and horns here and there, and the way the vocals softly dominate the mix, it all just makes me adore the space of the record.

The slow burn and romantic/sexy tracks here are just incredible. Namely talking about "In A Good Way" which has such a simple refrain but its so memorable and pure, and the track "Overslept" which sounds like waking up and getting your bearings in someone's room, sleepy and sensual and dreamy. Oh and the mournful/soulful/touching/etc closing track "Half of Me" is a delicate tear-jerker performed with such vulnerability it makes my wee heart melt and it makes me wanna push play yet again. The fact that the opener and the closer are both incredible and bookend everything so well makes for an almost infinitely relistenable album. Love it. Honestly I love easily half the songs here and that amount is sure to rise as I listen more and revisit this record in the months and years to come.

Anyway, in closing, I love this album a good deal and its one of my favorites of 2021 so far.. Webster is certainly a massively talented musician and singer/songwriter and I think I may have found a new favorite modern artist to keep close track of.

From HoldenM 07/06/2021 16:48

Gorgeous, if homogenous songwriting. Gentle and intimate, while still compelling for the most part.