That Chris Farren finds influence in Scottish dream-pop outfit Belle & Sebastian comes as no surprise when playing through ‘Can’t Die’, a bittersweet collection of predominantly upbeat tracks discussing Farren’s sudden realisation of mortality. Yet rather than lingering on his unavoidable demise, the Fake Problems frontman and Antarctigo Vespucci co-creative uses his epiphany to address some longstanding issues, not least his anxiety (‘Human Being’ / ‘Say U Want Me’), lost friendships (‘Everything’s My Fault’ / ‘Still Beating’), love (‘Brighter’) and ultimately death (‘Until I Can See The Light’).
The heavy themes are taken lightly. “I didn’t want it to be a bummer to listen to,” Farren told Paste Magazine upon premiering the record. Despite retaining some of the softer tones suggested by the subject matter, the majority of ‘Can’t Die’ plays out like a traditional Disney movie, filled with the macabre but veiled under an impressive light-hearted veneer. ‘Say U Want Me’, one of the album’s many standout tracks, is both a tale of crippling insecurity and one of the most jovial songs of the year. It’s a juxtaposition that serves Farren extremely well.
‘Can’t Die’ is an acceptance of life’s many obstacles, and Farren’s willingness to overcome them before it’s too late. Tellingly, Farren has reenlisted the musical company of a long-time absent friend, one he discusses on ‘Still Beating’ – a track that in sound wouldn’t be out of place on The Little Mermaid. ‘Can’t Die’ is about rebuilding bridges, and owning the confidence to weather the storms. ‘Human Being’, another tale of anxiety, focuses instead on the empowerment found in adversity.
In his aim to avoid bumming us out, Chris Farren has easily achieved it. The beauty in ‘Can’t Die’ is in its positivity. Any negative nuances are few and far between, only necessary to promote the record’s upbeat message. When faced with the promise of mortality, one can either wither into nothing, or make the most of the unpredictable time available. ‘Can’t Die’ does the latter brilliantly.
BEN TIPPLE