The last twenty years life seems to have gone off the brakes: phones, the internet, the new – everything rushes at the speed of light. Against this backdrop, vinyl sounds like a true antidote to the rush. A record is a material embodiment of music, something you can touch, examine. Fortunately, today more and more musicians and performers are once again starting to record and release their albums on vinyl. They understand that in the digital age, where everything is devalued, the physical medium helps preserve the bond between artist and listener. For many, it is also a way to create a piece of art, from the cover design to the recording itself.
In this unhurried format Chris Portka emerges as a true artistic force, a bold spirit for whom music is both a spark of creativity and an act of fearless self-expression. His new album “The Album Everyone Wants ” is the most collective work of Chris Portka to date: it gathers all members of his band, and the tracklist holds 11 songs, including four new originals and seven covers (Syd Barrett, Skip Spence, George Jones & more). The album was recorded at the legendary Sear Sound in New York and at Brothers (Chinese) Recording in Oakland. The result is a remarkable mixture: noisy indie rock with pedal steel, sincere ballads, and bright psychedelic tinctures. The sound was shaped by co‑producer Jasper Leach, a cult figure of the indie scene, with mastering by JJ Golden (Calexico, Vetiver, Thee Oh Sees). Portka was accompanied by musicians from Al Harper Band and other unexpected guests.
The outcome sounds timeless, like a love letter to American song tradition and its curious byways. Portka glides gracefully across the terrain of vintage rock and does so with great care. Even the opening track, “She Looks So Good Tonight“, nods to a soundtrack aesthetic, as if to suggest an abstract “current” film-it is a tender, airy song about love and quiet longing. Portka’s musical language is both familiar and fresh-echoes of classic rock and folk are there, but delivered with a modern sensibility. He invites the listener into a quiet dialogue with memory and emotion. A gentle guitar reverb, heartfelt vocals, and delicate harmonies create a chamber‑like intimacy. What feels most valuable here is the ease and honesty of the music.
I would particularly highlight “Fun in the Summer” -a bright track and almost a psychedelic story about hot summer days and a drive down the West Coast highway with the radio playing old hits, as Lou Reed morphs into a faded but charming San Francisco dweller, watching the world through waves of warm sunlight. Most of all, what Chris has managed to achieve with this album is to leave an impression. His music is warm, offering peace and comfort. Take, for example, “Song for Carol “- its soft, silky instrumental textures and Chris’s hypnotic vocals entwine tightly, carrying the listener into a state of aesthetic trance. A supple bass rhythm and mellow drums hold attention until they break like waves into the track “Poor Moon“. Interestingly,”Poor Moon” cannot be called particularly melodic, yet it impressed me the most: its staccato sounds and shifting rhythms captivated me. In my view, the song feels abstract and striking.
I also recommend turning attention to the cover “Tennessee Whiskey She” – the recognizable Dean Dillon and Linda Hargrove classic gains new life. Here it runs through a groove with elements of krautrock and characteristic pedal steel tones- both familiar and refreshingly new. In the same spirit comes “The Observer” – a song with deep American roots, drawing the listener into reflections on life and the passage of time. Restrained melodies unlock the full emotional message of the song. Imagine Jackson Browne’s The Pretender or The Silver Jews’ Inside the Golden Days of Missing You, but in a more meditative, singular way. In the finale, Chris leaves the listener with the touching “Molly” – intimate, perfect for a hushed conversation by candlelight. It is open and tender, with a light touch of romance and fragile memories, where past and present weave together in melodies of emotion and gentle melancholy.
Chris Portka’s “The Album Everyone Wants” truly stands out, and not just because it’s on vinyl or streaming platforms. The most important thing is its sincerity, which cannot be faked, and the incredible melodies that instantly imprint themselves in memory. Listen, and you will understand it yourself.
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