Seattle-based roots-rock quintet Stellar Jays expand their jangly Americana sound on Merit Badge, their second full-length album, balancing sweet backing harmonies and shimmering guitars with alt-country reflection, Southern-rock drive, and hooky indie-rock energy. Recorded with producer Don Farwell, the eight-song collection explores the shifting emotional terrain of relationships, from the excitement of new love to longing, regret, and unresolved heartache.
Resonating with its opening warmth of acoustic guitar and harmonica, “Oh Dakota” is relatable in depictions of trying one’s best, though encountering solitude and yearning through it all. The plight of being “stuck in winter, just waiting for the spring” compels amidst perspectives of jealousy’s destructive impact. “Oh Dakota, I’m such a long way from home,” the delivery lets out during the chorus, backed by melodic title-bearing harmonies. This opening track is moving in its soaring folk passion and thematic reflections of hardship and moving on. The ensuing “Jessica” struts a punchier rock disposition, with grooving riffs and colorful organs complementing a fantastic central chorus, where intertwining lead presence emits a reassurance that you’ll “always find a place in your kind heart for me, dear.”
Elsewhere, “Trap Door Heart” develops a riveting folk-rock character alongside heartrending lead questioning of “when can I see you again?” — again capturing the impact of long-running heartache in its main hook: “You got a trap door heart / From where I stand I may just fall apart.” Crunchy guitars, illuminated organs, and lovely backing harmonies add to the absorbing sound here. “Right Where” follows with a steady bass-forward momentum, lushly memorable as washes of guitar ease in. Lyrical recollections of a chance meeting in Memphis, and embracing risk-taking and the potential of regret being worth it, pair enjoyably with the eventually twangy rock appeal, bolstered by gradual touches of harmonica.
The album’s title track consumes as well, melding catchy guitar jangling and twinkling keys. “Make my way to the Emerald City’s heart,” the delivery engages alongside, reminding of a cross between R.E.M. and The Hold Steady as the “just give me a reason” hooky beckoning arrives. The second-half “reason” hook is further enjoyable as reflective harmonic layers add nicely. “Snowbird” charms too with its Americana stylings and duet-ing lead emergences, inviting and harmonious. A southern-rock prowess shows well on “Part Time Gig,” reflecting on choices throughout life and the need for personal space. “Pretty sure tomorrow she’ll forget my face,” the lead presence shrugs into twanging guitar ardor, its dual-lead drive into the “I’m not your part time gig” proclamation being especially replay-inducing. Capped off by the release of the excellent “Haunt Me,” out on November 6th, Merit Badge is a fantastic collection of rootsy rock standouts from Stellar Jays.
