The Past Is Still Alive by Hurray for the Riff Raff
When I first discovered The Past Is Still Alive back in 2024, I had initially thought it was Julien Baker, another folk-y alternative singer1 that I had discovered from one of her live performances back in college. Turns out, it was not her, but I was curious (how could I not, with that cowboy hat!) and decided to give it a spin.
It became one of my favourite albums of the year, and I still come back to play it every few weeks or so because of how warm it makes me feel as I listen to the tracks. With their light country twang, Alynda Segarra sings track after track sprinkled with a nostalgic-like atmosphere about all kinds of love, whether that's romantic, platonic, or familial.
Standing out the most is how Segarra is able to make every track sound so warm to my ears and to my heart. The production is sufficiently layered with light drumming and gentle acoustic guitars. without making it sound like just another random singer-songwriter stint on Spotify2.
The opener captured my attention instantly with the catchy "You don't have to die if you don't wanna die", but I believe that the best track that conveys the whole energy of the record would be The World Is Dangerous as Segarra addresses herself (or perhaps another person or listener), and reminds them that through all the bumps in their lives, she would be present and "Got to keep moving, it's my life, I can't lose it". It's a simple line, but every time I listen to it, I feel as though I'm being gently nudged to remember to keep my head held high.
I think this one's staying in my rotation for the foreseeable future!
Three Songs to Start With: Buffalo, The World Is Dangerous, Hawkmoon
Words That Lingered
Your dreams are not your dreams
They're only visions of what you need
You're not the person you thought you'd be
But I still love you— The World Is Dangerous