Who Cares is the new 10-song full length from Zeb Zaitz. The follow-up to Zaitz’s 2016 debut self-titled solo effort, Zaitz has evolved into not only a clever lyricist, but his skillset at projecting himself as an artist with much more sonic avenues to explore, he clearly defines himself into a world of his own making. Echoing the breadths of The Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and The Band, Zaitz has a throwback sound in which he confidently thrusts his modern marks.

Formerly of the California group, Sparrow Gate, Zaitz wastes no time in giving the listener a quick glimpse into his mindful soul. From the start in track one, “The Only Week I Know”, he harmonizes whoa/whoa in a way that sounds like both a call to the universe and yearning for one more embrace. He’s joined by a gorgeous female voice that while her time in the song is very short, she makes the most of it. Their voices combined is stunning. The next song, “How About You” has her again (as does “Gather”), and the consistency of these first two tracks is ideal. I think he builds upon the mood and the tempo. Zaitz has a way of sounding serene, but not too serious. I think he loosens up as the songs domino.

By track four, “Summer Wind” I felt very comfortable and engaged. He sprinkles bright piano keys between beds of strings and pouty percussion. The piano bridge is delightful and against his youthful voice, it’s a calming tune. “Wish We Were Dancing” returns again to this synth, atmospheric tone. He throws in a mix of acoustic guitar and the song unveils more and more imagery. I found his voice to be a lot like Joni Mitchells in that he seems in awe of his own surroundings. He’s enamored by the environment and his fellow man.

BANDCAMP: https://sparrowsgate.bandcamp.com/

I’m going to leap over a few songs to get to “Wilderness Mirrors”. How far away is nowhere from here, Zaitz sings. I pondered over those words for some time. In many ways, this song feels isolating, as if you were taking up quarters in some lofty mountain cabin. He’s escaping from something, but he’s also wanting to go back. I’m not sure. I loved the dynamic of this song and it felt the most diverse of all the 10 songs (except for the last song, the instrumental “A Day Before The Flood”). “Wilderness Mirrors” to me, encapsulates the album for me. Perhaps the album’s title, Who Cares, signifies that the if no one else cares about your dreams, your thoughts, then when you look in the mirror and you’re faced with loneliness, you have to care. You are the one that has to care.

I’d also like to point out the lines my wings are soaked…wishing for that magic passing by/passing by in the stirring “Where Shall We Fly”. I think we all get down ourselves, or maybe feel hopeless like we can’t go on. In his steel-guitar and glowing piano bed, Zaitz helps us push through those feelings.

John McCall