Make Peace With That provides an authentic insight into Toronto artist Field Guide‘s mind and relationships. The short but sweet album is a soothing honest narrative of love gone by. Released just before the start of autumn, the album combines warm bare vocals with gentle acoustic guitar and a variety of percussive elements which help to set the scene and create a nostalgic feel. Most of the songs on the album stay within three minutes and express brief warmhearted anecdotes of past relationships.
The third track ‘Me and You’ is a standout which encapsulates the momentary joys of a relationship. The upbeat tempo and perky guitar line create a feeling of weightlessness and optimism, which is contrasted by lyrics such as “I know we can’t do this forever”. Dylan MacDonald is able to capture the beauty and joy of a relationship with the acceptance of it’s fleeting nature throughout this track.
‘Tupperware’ is a melancholy contrast to the previous. Focusing on the past rather than living in the moment. Although modest, the lyrics evoke a sense of remorse and acceptance for love that’s been lost. The sentimental feel of the album is perpetuated through lyrics like “ I’ll always remember the days when you were mine”.
The title track ‘Make Peace With That’ doesn’t indulge in the bliss of new love, but rather accepts the loss before it even comes. Rather than reminiscing on a failed relationship, ‘Make Peace With That’ focuses on unrequited love. He challenges himself to accept the fact that “Sometimes you fall, and she don’t fall back”. Unrequited love is an extremely common experience and reminds the listener that there is more to love than perfect yet unsustainable relationships which most of the tracks focus on.
‘Nobody Else’ mirrors tracks such as ‘Me and You’ and returns the narrative to a present craving for another. The main line “I don’t want nobody else” closely parallels “It feels good to be stuck together” of ‘Me and You’. This song is one of the more repetitive pieces but the repetition of the chorus “I don’t want nobody else” sounds like a plea for affection from the singer to his muse. The revamp of themes throughout the album cements the singer’s emotions and creates a cyclical narrative.
The album wraps up with a realistic piece, focusing on the faults and trails of a relationship. Over the course of the album it seems as if Field Guide has come to the realization that to love without loss you can’t have perfect love. It’s important to live in the moment yet understand the past and adapt to one another, hence the title ‘Slow Down’. The track fades out with a soft thunderstorm and mellow banjo line which was introduced earlier in the song. Despite the busy atmosphere his words still pierce through. The rain solidifies the nostalgic feeling of the album and illustrates the singer’s inner turmoil.
The album could use a clearer linear narrative rather than switching between grieving old love and indulging in new relationships, however this cycle accurately depicts the typical relationship pattern. Overall Field Guide achieves a succinct and thoughtful chronicle of love come and gone. The experiences recounted and emotions expressed are relatable and approachable for the listener.
\The concentration on overthinking, longing and love create an extremely relatable and sentimental piece as these are all very prevalent feelings in the lives of today’s youth. The sympathetic vocals and relaxing melodies paired with the acoustic soundscapes mold Make Peace With That into the perfect album for anyone looking to reminisce.
