For a band celebrating its 20th anniversary, Mother Mother appears to only be interested in looking ahead. Rather than oversaturating their catalog with expanded editions of albums, the group is releasing their 10th LP. Paradoxically moving forward while looking back, Nostalgia is a present-tense lens on what makes the past both special and agonizing. 

There was so much publicity around 2024’s Grief Chapter that Nostalgia feels shrouded in mystery by contrast. No studio clips, no BTS songwriting clips, and no TikToks prepared fans for another album so soon. Aside from changing their Instagram fan channel name to “Punicorns,” I was completely blindsided (in a positive way) by the release of “Make Believe.”

“Make Believe” was best described by my wife as, “Jack White marries Princess Peach.” Though comical, it’s a bizarrely accurate description. Aggressive vocals and guitars run rampant as they intertwine with sweet and swirly synthesizers. It’s fun, racing, and feels like it will be a great addition to the group’s live catalog. The twisted and off-the-beaten path approach to a pop song is exactly what the band does best. 

While Mother Mother typically have a heavy-hitter as their album opener, “Love to Death” changes the trend with an acoustic punch. Their signature cascading vocals set the mood for another fantastic collection, and the added feature of mandolin on their last couple of albums has been phenomenal as well. If Instagram hasn’t let me down, then it looks like mandolin-duty is being handled by bassist Mike Young. Kudos, Mike. 

Though somehow not a single, “ON AND ON (Song for Jasmin)” may be my new favorite Mother Mother track. It’s easily the catchiest song on the collection, and it feels like a bit of hot gossip into the band’s personal dynamics. A touching ode to fellow singer Jasmin Parkin, it’s an absolutely certified banger, and again, it should’ve been a single. 

Conversely, the next song, “Better of Me” which is sung by Jasmin, feels like her ultimate diss track. It’s a healthy reminder to stay on her good side while being both charming and fierce in a romantic way. “I’m sorry I spit in your face, but you could get used to the taste.” Lyrically and musically it’s such a fantastic dynamic swing. 

Dynamics are something the group has always executed flawlessly. Big moments are impactful, and the quiet moments are heart-wrenching. A prime example would be hearing the gentle lullaby of “Namaste” drifting into “FINGER” seamlessly. The synth and 808 groove that transition the two could in no way prepare me for that first verse of “FINGER.” No spoilers, but if you want to talk about social stigma, shame, and gender inequality in a way that will catch your attention, THAT is how you do it. 

Winding down on the collection, the album’s title track made me emotional in a way I couldn’t quite understand. It’s sad, raw, and it feels like a goodbye. I don’t know what I was saying goodbye to, but between “Nostalgia” and “To Regret” the group evoke a sense of peace, acceptance, and closure in a therapeutic way. When people talk about music having healing powers, surely this is what they mean. Please don’t overlook these tracks. They’re perfect. 

Nostalgia may be Mother Mother’s most personal and up close collection yet. For a band that has been pouring out their hearts for two decades, I still feel like I’m discovering a more tender side to them that’s intimate enough to make me blush. Musically they feel unable to repeat themselves while remaining undeniably authentic to who they are. The best artist to gain a following from TikTok prove once again they deserve everything that has come their way and more, but someone stop me. I could go on and on and on.

Make sure to follow Mother Mother on Instagram. Nostalgia is out everywhere now.