I slept on Historian, the 2018 sophomore album and Matador Records debut from alt rock singer-songwriter Lucy Dacus, because there’s just too goddamn much music out there. I dug the single that got some local airplay, “Addictions”—a clever ode about old relationship habits dying hard (“I’m just calling ’cause I’m used to it, you’ll pick up ’cause you’re not a quitter”)—but only took a chance on the rest of the album recently, and immediately realized my error.

There’s something in her vocal quality that reminds me of ’70s AM radio, all velvety and polished and warm, while its emotive tone is conversely apathetic, resigned, or world-weary. Her style of indie rock ranges from subdued and pretty to laid-back lively to ambient and kind of gray and moody. She’s been dropping singles throughout 2019, which began with a lovely cover of “La Vie en Rose” right around Valentine’s Day, and most recently another cover, a fine reimagining of Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark."

Dacus plays a KEXP Live In-Studio today at noon. You can register to attend but must do so in person at the studio, and registration begins 90 minutes before the set (right now!). It's free, but seating is limited to 70. You can also listen on KEXP for free. Obviously. More info here. She also performs tonight at Neumos. Some media below.