Ezra Furman makes an unflinching, ebullient return to music with ‘Goodbye Small Head’, an album that chronicles feelings of losing control and becoming disillusioned with the world around you.
But, while the album deals with dark themes, Furman approaches them with a warm optimism that is palpable in nearly every lyric. Grand Mal, for example, details a rough patch, but rather than fight against that feeling she “bathe[s] in its waves” over a mellow, almost jazzy instrumental that feels at odds with the stifling subject matter.
Equally, she is overwhelmed and frustrated on Sudden Storm, a song that opens with its hazy refrain, “Have you ever been to where I’m going / Have you ever been out here?”
Jump Out provides a screeching callback following its more delicate predecessors, feeling like quintessential Ezra Furman. Her brash vocals are reminiscent of the playful style employed on Love You So Bad from 2018’s ‘Transangelic Exodus’.
Furman’s ability to ebb and flow between genres is evident in You Mustn’t Show Weakness, a rocker where distorted backing vocals echo against punchy drums. Just a couple of tracks later we get to the beautiful, willowy Veil Song. Furman’s voice is tender and wistful, and the music is gentle, pulling all focus to the words she’s singing.
‘Goodbye Small Head’ was described by one of Furman’s friends as “the coolest movie soundtrack of 1997”, a sentiment that rings true in the latter portion of the album. You Hurt Me I Hate You and A World of Love and Care feel big and cinematic, wrapping you up in a symphony of loud, bold percussion, while I Need the Angel is the perfect song to play as the end credits roll.
Ezra Furman Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Tue July 08 2025 - CHICAGO Illinois - Thalia Hall (USA)
Wed July 09 2025 - SAINT PAUL Minnesota - Amsterdam Bar & Hall (USA)
Sun July 13 2025 - INDIANAPOLIS Indiana - Turntable (USA)
Mon July 14 2025 - COLUMBUS Ohio - Ace of Cups (USA)
Tue July 15 2025 - MILLVALE Pennsylvania - Mr Smalls Theatre (USA)
Wed July 16 2025 - CLEVELAND Ohio - Beachland Ballroom (USA)
Thu July 17 2025 - FERNDALE Michigan - Loving Touch (USA)
Sun August 03 2025 - SAN DIEGO California - Music Box (USA)
Tue August 05 2025 - LOS ANGELES California - Teragram Ballroom (USA)
Wed August 06 2025 - SANTA CRUZ California - Moe's Alley (USA)
Thu August 07 2025 - SAN FRANCISCO California - Great American Music Hall (USA)
Sun August 10 2025 - PORTLAND Oregon - Wonder Ballroom (USA)
Tue August 12 2025 - VANCOUVER British Columbia - Hollywood Theatre (Canada)
Wed August 13 2025 - SEATTLE Washington - Crocodile (USA)
Wed August 20 2025 - SAN FRANCISCO California - Great American Music Hall (USA)
Mon October 20 2025 - MONTREAL Quebec - Theatre Fairmount (Canada)
Tue October 21 2025 - TORONTO Ontario - Axis Club - Toronto (Canada)
Wed October 22 2025 - TROY New York - No Fun (USA)
Thu October 23 2025 - PORTLAND Maine - State Theatre - ME (USA)
Sat October 25 2025 - CAMBRIDGE MA Massachusetts - Sinclair Music Hall (USA)
Sun October 26 2025 - HAMDEN Connecticut - Space Ballroom (USA)
Mon October 27 2025 - PHILADELPHIA Pennsylvania - Union Transfer (USA)
Tue October 28 2025 - WASHINGTON District Of Columbia - Union Stage - DC (USA)
Wed October 29 2025 - NEW YORK New York - Webster Hall (USA)
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