Within the 22 years since her debut, Michelle Department has lived many lives, from teen pop sensation to Grammy-winning collaborator to nation singer with the Wreckers. Earlier this yr, Department made headlines after she tweeted accusations of infidelity in the direction of her husband, the Black Keys’ Patrick Carney; she was arrested the identical day after allegedly slapping him. All expenses have been dropped and Department filed for divorce – a submitting that was later suspended by the couple.
The Bother With Fever, Department’s fifth album, was accomplished in late 2021, earlier than the beginning of hers and Carney’s second little one, and through what she describes as “a secure inventive bubble”. However the recent context of their decoupling looms prophetically giant. Co-produced with Carney and that includes the nice and cozy patina of Americana, Fever presents heartbreak by metaphors of uncertainty and overcoming. On Not My Lover, Department lands some damning jabs (“You weren't my lover / You have been only a lesson that I discovered”) in a breathy soprano, whereas You is a wry, self-deprecating slow-waltz: “Some individuals by no means appear to study their lesson / I suppose I’m a type of fools.”
I’m A Man, with its playful blues riff, takes a extra light view on betrayal, exploring the societal pressures of masculinity, femininity and patriarchy. Providing context and dialog somewhat than excuse, it's insightful and even-keeled. The Bother With Fever shouldn’t be consumed as scandal. As an alternative, it ought to be taken for what it's: a strong country-pop document. It’s a celebration of endings: a fortifying, bridging album that guides its creator in the direction of, hopefully, happier instances.
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