David Bazan, the voice behind Pedro the Lion, continues his musical memoir with “Santa Cruz,” the third album in his autobiographical series. Following 2019’s “Phoenix” and 2022’s “Havasu,” Bazan now explores his teenage years and early adulthood, a time when he began shaping his musical identity. This period marks Bazan’s transition from a life dominated by his family’s religious and itinerant lifestyle to one where he starts defining himself.
“Santa Cruz” captures the anxiety and excitement of Bazan’s teenage awakening, framed by the constant relocations of his family. The album opens with a synth-led dirge, reflecting his apprehensions about moving to a new town. As he starts eighth grade in Santa Cruz, Bazan’s experiences range from self-consciousness about his neon-green backpack to discovering the Beatles, which marked a pivotal moment in his musical development. The rapid-fire lyrical delivery and quick rhythms mirror the nervous energy of a teenager finding life outside his parents’ expectations.
The album’s 11 tracks are imbued with the angst and wonder of adolescence. In “Mess Under That Dress,” Bazan recalls clandestine make-out sessions and his burgeoning realization that he must forge his own identity. Songs like “Little Help” and “Don’t Cry Now” highlight his struggle for stability amid his family’s frequent moves. As they relocate to Seattle, Bazan begins to find his musical footing, balancing school with his passion for music.
“Modesto” stands out as a transformative moment in Bazan’s narrative. After quitting his job selling vacuum cleaners, he starts working at a guitar store, where he discovers lo-fi local music that inspires him to write his first Pedro the Lion songs. This revelation is akin to the transformative impact the Beatles had on him, signaling his path toward a life dedicated to music.
“Santa Cruz” concludes with “Only Yesterday,” where Bazan reflects on a lonely decade filled with both triumphs and a deep sense of rootlessness. Yet, by the album’s end, there’s a glimmer of hope as he sings about finding love and feeling sunlight on his face. This hopeful note not only closes the seventh Pedro the Lion album but also sets the stage for the next chapter in Bazan’s ongoing musical journey. – Jason Felton