ACL Review: Julien Baker

Last year, Drake surprised ACL attendees by bringing Future onstage. This year’s unexpected fest collaboration came from Die Antwoord and Julien Baker. The Memphis singer-songwriter’s set unfolded at 6pm on the BMI Stage with just her, her guitar, and the obnoxious beats from the freak-rap duo on the nearby Honda Stage.

“I was worried about missing Die Antwoord’s set, but I get the best of both worlds,” she quipped as their cacophony worked its way into all of the empty spaces of her yearning work. Even so, she earnestly clarified her sincerity. It seems Baker can’t do anything other than be heartfelt.

Since her 2015 debut Sprained Ankle, the 21-year-old’s incisive melancholy and guitar-driven songs have drawn comparisons to Elliott Smith, but the ache in her wail elevates her to a different level of emotionally exposed. Even with technical difficulties and invasive bass from the neighboring stage, Baker was totally arresting.

After a stumbling start with “Sprained Ankle” and “Blacktop,” she steadied herself on “Rejoice,” one of her most gripping compositions. At the crescendo of the song – her voice a bellowing tremor – a smattering of black birds filled the twilight sky above the small stage.

The hour-long set also included “Vessels” and “Everybody Does,” two newer tracks, plus a mournful cover of Death Cab for Cutie deep cut “Photobooth” and the phenomenal closer “Something.” Baker’s face contorted in emotion as she performed, each lyric involving the exorcism of some deep, dark demon.

That’s Julien Baker’s magic: music born of raw necessity.