Wilco – Cousin

There are certain long-running musical acts that at this point are like an old friend or family member to their fans, one they can always rely on – and not just for the late greats. Wilco has those “Late Greats”, but have also been consistently putting out wonderful new records. Working with producer Cate Le Bon, they lean into their sweeter, softer, wrier side on Cousin.

And Cousin is a more intimate, even at times sedate fare, no big rock n’ roll. Instead, frontman Jeff Tweedy’s wry smile comes to the fore, such as in the conversational “Ten Dead”, sweet “Evicted”, and the title track. This is not an album that will immediately bowl over even their longtime listeners, but repeated spins showcase just how sweet it is, and just how lovely it is with songs like “Levee” and closer “Meant To Be”.

Wilco already have a ton of fans, and Cousin is almost a love letter to them, a family member who will always be by their side whenever you ask.