Hello Reader,
Welcome back. It’s been a minute since the last review, hope you’re well.
Today we’re going to delve into recording artist, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, and audio engineer Jacob Kulick. He began to journal and create music at middle school age in small-town Pennsylvania as an outlet for the bullying and anxiety he experienced. Kulick was born with sensorineural hearing loss in both ears, a congenital disorder that he hasn’t let stop him. In his adolescence, Kulick taught himself how to play several instruments, how to track and mix his own music and by age 16 had fallen in love with the songwriting process and soon after, formed his first band.
His first release came while still in high school and the project was stylized under the name Jacob Kulick, For My Sanity (2009). Subsequent releases were Runaway EP (2013), Truth and Liars EP (2014), and High in Limbo (2015) in addition to several singles. In 2016, Kulick started anew with a new stage name stylized as KULICK and a new logo. His KULICK releases include Hydroplane EP (2018), Yelling in a Quiet Neighborhood (2020), and Everyone I Know Will Die (2022) in addition to several singles. Talking about the music and names, Jacob Kulick says, “KULICK was me anyway, but the Jacob Kulick project, this is what I write in my bedroom. It feels so much more vulnerable because it’s not hidden behind all this production.” Over the years Kulick’s journey within music has become an excellent way to process his evolving emotions.
And on Friday May 31st, his first album as Jacob Kulick in nearly a decade, Nostalgia is a Thing of the Past comes out via indie label ENCI Records for your listening pleasure. Kulick reflecting on his work says, “I was signed to a major label, so I was going to make songs that a major label would push. I justified it to myself, but if I had been making the music I wanted to make, it would have sounded like Nostalgia Is a Thing of the Past.” The album was recorded with assistance from musician Elle King‘s band which includes some top-notch musicians, and music composers in present day music. In addition, a who’s who of co-writers were part of the process.
Giving credit where it’s due. Nostalgia is a Thing of the Past album credits:
- Jacob Kulick: producer, songwriter, lead vocals, guitar on each song.
- April Rose Gabrielli: backup vocals on songs #1 and #3-8, piano on songs #3, #6-8 and co-songwriter on songs #5-8.
- Joey McClellan: guitar on each song.
- Paul DeVincenzo: bass guitar on each song.
- Dave Scalia: drums on each song.
- Joanna Sugameli: strings on songs #3, #6.
- Søren Hansen: producer, backup vocals and synth on songs #1-7, co-songwriter on songs #1, 5, 7 and 8.
- Femke Weidema: co-songwriter on songs #1, 5, 7 and 8.
And now some hype for your ears!
The story of April and Jacob, “Motel 6”:
(All credits and rights to Jacob Kulick)
A greenhouse setting in the video for “Running In The Cemetary”:
(All credits and rights to Jacob Kulick)
The introspective life of this musician, “Same Way to Me”:
(All credits and rights to Jacob Kulick)
Overall, Nostalgia is a Thing of the Past is another step forward for Jacob Kulick. The melodies and overall feeling of the album is warm. His years of experience, and experimentation are on display. Within this album, Kulick has crafted great melodies that evoke that kindness and passionate feeling to its listeners. Rest assured, it’s not all sunshine and no substance, there’s plenty within the lyrics. Kulick has proven before that he knows how to compose a song and that craftmanship is also on display in spades throughout the album. Kudos to assembling an extraordinary group of musicians and songwriters together. Working with a collection of talented songwriters in making this album and throughout Kulick’s career is transparent in the quality of his work. The accomplished grouping of musicians are in top notch form and sound perfect together. I like how Kulick adapts his vocal delivery to pair perfectly with not only the rhythm but also the melody and vibe of each song. The first six songs have a relatively similar cadence and melodic feel before Kulick and the accompanying musicians switch it up on the last two songs of the album. The result makes you pause to wonder, has you wanting more and appreciating everyone’s talent. That being said there is a good flow from song to song throughout the album. Kudos on the wit of the album title as well.
“I Am” opens with a forceful drumbeat from Scalia propelling the melody forward with lighter interlaced guitar work from McClellan and DeVincenzo creating a wistful sound that meshes well with natural sunshine, both an unobstructed sun or partial sun breaking through a cloudy day transitioning to sunlight. I think it’s impossible to not feel the warmth in this song as a listener. The melody not only pairs well with Kulick’s vocals but also allows them to shine especially as he shows off his range during the refrains. The backing vocals from Gabrielli and Hansen are complimentary. The lyrics explain his state of being with thought about the past, present and even the future.
The next song, is a self-described COVID era love story. A song fostered in motel isolation with his now fiancé April Rose Gabrielli, a talented singer, producer, engineer, songwriter, and collaborator. “Motel 6” is a loving, happy melody that starts with gentle guitar strumming and adding steady drums that allows Kulick’s vocal delivery to shine and tell his admiration and adoration. Hansen’s backing vocals on the refrains add some punch to the lyrics. To me, the emotions captured within a song are ones that we’d all be thrilled to pen to and share with our significant other. A truly beautiful song.
“Life on Earth” starts with guitar strumming and kick drum beat from Scalia that will easily evoke a clapping response from its listener before the melody turns up tempo adding faster and more intricate guitar and drum work. And then piano from Gabrielli, strings from Sugameli and synth from Hansen. Again, the melody is engaging, and friendly. Kulick’s vocal deliveries stretch to match the melody at times and are delivered in a more bittersweet way than any previous songs on this album, so far. Fittingly, the lyrics long for meaning and inner peace.
The next song, “Running in a Cemetary” also begins with guitar strumming, this time a bit more serene and Kulick’s vocals. An infusion of lush synth from Hansen follows adding some more depth to the rhythm before the kick drum increases the melody tempo in a smooth flowing manner. There’s a nice layering of guitars soon after. The lyrics are from a distressed experience, retaining hope for positivity specific to a relationship the future.
“Catch Me When I Fall” begins with a nice melody of drums and guitar including several brief inflections of twang to the overall rhythm. Kulick’s vocals once again are on display as he shows off his range and delivery throughout the song as the velocity of the melody changes, Kulick’s vocal delivery matches. In the choruses, Gabrielli’s contrasting vocal tone with Kulick pair so well with Kulick’s own vocal tone as do Hansen’s more closely matched tones when Hansen is providing backing vocals. The lyrics within this song examine one’s mental state over time with the overall expectation of friendship when most needed.
“Slow” quickly establishes its fast-paced drum centered tempo and doesn’t look back, forming the core rhythm for the song. At times the guitar quiets a slight bit but not disconcerting melodic shift, allowing for Kulick’s and Gabrielli’s and Hansen’s backing vocals to stand out even more. Nice flourishes of piano from Gabrielli. The chorus in this song is perhaps the most evident and earworm worthy of any song on the album so far. Another well done composition. The lyrics play like a present-day version with a reflective perspective talking to a child version of the same person, giving advice. It’s the only song on the album that only Kulick and Gabrielli have songwriting credit.
The next song, “Till My Lips Turn Blue” reads like another love letter. A steadfast statement on his relationship, with a rousing melody and danceable rhythm. The first ten seconds of the melody comprised of jangly, infectious guitar, and rock-solid drums open the song. As a listener, you’re wondering if this is a 90s homage because of its familiar adjacent sound even through its chord progressions. The melody is its own lovely thing and among the most accessible songs to the masses. There’s plenty of time for both the instrumentation and production to shine as well as Kulick’s vocals. Once again, the chorus allows from Gabrielli and Hansen’s backing vocals and their respective piano and synth playing to be heard.
The albums closer, “Same Way to Me” opens with some funk. In the form of twangy pedal steel sounding guitar and percussion. The first and only song without synth but there is a wonderful balance of piano from Gabrielli. If you feel the need to categorize or credit the sound, call it a Nashville influenced sound. It’s a well-orchestrated melody and the rhythm flows well throughout. The lyrics examine Kulick’s journey as a musician. Seemingly a fitting way to end the album and this chapter in everyone’s life.
Nostalgia is a Thing of the Past gets 4 out of 5 Scum Drops from me. The album grew on me; the songs grew on me upon subsequent listens to enter its place within the upper range of 4 Scum Drops territory, more specifically the 82nd or 83rd percentile. At mid-year or year-end that placement may change as our ratings are reflective of all albums released in a given year. Kulick has written some great songs, and perhaps the best ones on this album are amongst, if not his best so far. Long-time supporters, I’ll defer to you. There’s a good number of gorgeous compositions on this album. I hope that the next album is even longer in length in the future! There’s great sonic quality on this. I’d definitely recommend adding to your collection on the format of your choosing.
Nostalgia is a Thing of the Past Track listing (song length)
- I Am (3:47)
- Motel 6 (3:06)
- Life on Earth (3:44)
- Running in a Cemetary (2:40)
- Catch Me When I Fall (2:52)
- Slow (3:30)
- Till My Lips Turn Blue (3:36)
- Same Way to Me (2:44)
Total runtime: 26:09
I’ll always advocate that you take the time to listen to every album in its entirety. This process is less than a half an hour from start to finish. Along the way, you’ll discover your own favorite songs without the influence or bias of others. After a few listens on my own, the songs that are highlighted in green font above are my favorite songs on this album.
Jacob Kulick’s own website is linked right here! The site has all of his socials, music and even a Patreon page for exclusive content.
Thank you for reading and supporting good music.
Until next time,
Alex
Scummy Water Tower Productions co-founder, reviewer, business manager, and editor. Thank you for visiting this site: scummywatertower.com, and YouTube for Water Tower Sessions!
Contact me: alex@scummywatertower.com
