In J.D. Salinger’s classic novel The Catcher In The Rye, central protagonist Holden Caulfield heavily relies on the term “phony.” Frankly, he says it so much you’d think he invented the descriptor himself. For all his judgmental thoughts and mental struggles when faced with odd behavior, though, one might label Holden himself a weirdo. Whereas that fictional creation penned by one of America’s greatest writers perpetuated negativity, self-described weirdo Planetarian doesn’t seem to care what anyone thinks, and kindly so.
The teenaged artist began making music not too long ago, but his talents are omnipresent; the oldest track available on his Soundcloud stands proudly still, boasting synthesized guitar riffs and atmospheric vocals. Since that introductory release, the young creative has improved all of his output, from sounds and lyrics to packaging and merchandise. The result? Abundant attention from untold supporters, Potholes now included.
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I had been listening to a certain track on Soundcloud before leaving my computer for a moment to grab a glass of water; perhaps unsurprisingly, the song had switched to another when I returned. I’d normaly respond to this shift with annoyance. True, I’m to blame for not pausing the record, but I’m not trying to hear unwelcome struggle — 95 percent of the material on any freely distributing media platform.
But this song was better than what I actually wanted to initially hear. Much better.
A blissful rarity any SC surfer can relate too, the personal discovery of a previously unknown act brought a hopeful smile to my face. A quick click brought me to Planetarian’s page, and two more landed his recently released free album in my iTunes library. WEIRDO is a dedicated thesis project, albeit one far more fun than a school paper: express yourself, embrace yourself, explore yourself. In this instance, the results are rewarding for all parties.
In the process, Planetarian reveals his desires and idiosyncratic observations; similar peculiarities, almost all of them charming, manifest in the project’s airy, string-and-synth-centric sounds. On the upbeat song “Stay With Me,” the honest singer asks an unnamed love interest, “I like you/What do you think of me?” His vocal reach strikes a chord in the listener, soon followed by an apologetic line sung in a surprisingly strong falsetto that further suggests his innocence.
“You’re the only one with your identity…/so set it free,” he croons on “Clones.” If nothing else, songwriting and cohesive production make WEIRDO worth its 15 tracks. Planetarian offers the best of two worlds, diving deep into his emotions and experiences yet packaging those truths in an easily digestible way.
Embrace your inner self/music fan and stream WEIRDO below; you can download the album here. Follow Planetarian on Twitter.