The Juniper Berries: review by Malena Saadeh

   Lovers and listeners of precisely penned Indie-Rock are in for a sonic experience with the release of The Juniper Berries latest self-titled record. What began as Josh Strim’s solo project in Ashland, Oregon has snowballed into an indie-rock four-piece listeners have come to know as The Juniper Berries. This quartet has been making a name for themselves in the Pacific NorthWest since the release of their first album ​Don’t Breathe in Through Your Mouth​ in 2017 and recently have shifted their new home scene to land in West Texas. With a rotating lineup of Myles Simpson of bass, Nina Myers on keys and John Kealiinohomoku holding down the beat on drums, the sound of The Juniper Berries is tied together with constant member Josh Strim providing vocals and guitar to close out the band. The evolution of the band’s sound since their debut album on one hand is astronomical in theme and detail, but on the other holds true to the familiarity listeners love about The Berries. “The first record was kind of like this make believe and dreamy place that was not necessarily about people but about ideas whereas this one is a little more personal and a lot more people focused,” frontman Strim states. He continues to explain his emphasis on songwriting and clear lyricism in this album by revealing the inner workings of his songwriting process. “A lot of times, I know people don't necessarily listen to the lyrics right away so I try to put stuff on every level of the song for people to find,” Strim states. “The first time you hear it, it might just be catchy and a cool vibe but then if you come back to it the lyrics are saying something too and you pick up maybe a new instrument in the background or something that you didn’t notice the first time.” This layered process is a labor of love, but it sure pays off with the killer arrangements the band delivers within ​The Juniper Berries. ​A shift in influence in the bands everyday listening also contributes to a totally fresh sound on the new release. “During the first record, we were all really into 90's indie like The Apples in Stereo, Built to Spill, Of Montreal and those kinds of bands,” Strim explains. “We were really into this old, more innocent style of indie rock, but since that record came out, I got more into my songwriting and that's what the second record reflects,” he continues to say. Hot off the press as of July 10th, ​The Juniper Berries​ reflects the growth and experience this band has gained over the years and acts as a perfectly relatable, coming of age soundtrack that allows each listener room for their own introspection as well.

IG: @thejuniperberries
Malena's IG: @shesaidohwell

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Images by @slowslip