Thao with the Get Down Stay Down – Know Better Learn Faster

Know Better Learn Faster starts off with a room full of clapping and hollering. “If this is how you want it, okay, okay,” sings Nguyen, along with a chorus of mournful voices. It’s a haunting dirge that quickly turns into a stomping hoedown, and it acts as an oddly appropriate segue into the next song, “Cool Yourself.” The chorus of voices returns for the oh-whoa-whoa refrain, and they make several appearances through out the album, providing a crowded, communal tone. It may not be a total Andrew W.K. vibe, but there’s definitely a party happening on this record.

Thao Nguyen – Feet Asleep

But even at its most infectious, the album’s lyrics always hint at something slightly darker. On the rambunctious “When We Swam,” Nguyen mourns the loss of a drowned relationship, all the while luring in listeners with the instantly danceable chorus: “bring your hips, bring your hips to me.” As seen on previous album, We Brave Bee Stings and All, Nguyen showcases a recklessly bold and honest style of songwriting. “What am I, just a body in your bed?” she demands on the deceptively buoyant, “Body.” Even under a smokescreen of handclaps and cheerful sing-a-long refrains, there’s no denying the flare of aggression in her voice.

It would be easy to become overwhelmed by the album’s chaotic energy, but there are several respites from the party scattered throughout the album. “The Give” is definitely more subdued and reflective than the first four tracks, but it is by no means quiet. Taking on the persona of a family patriarch, Nguyen spins a bittersweet narrative about broken promises and tokens of regret. It seems like an unlikely interlude within such an upbeat album, but the melancholy tone weaves in and out of even the punchier songs. It’s never blatantly obvious, but it lurks in many of the songs, adding a touch of pathos to even the most rowdy choruses.

True, these songs won’t make you weep, but it’s definitely not mindlessly catchy fluff either. So whether you’re looking for something to dance around in your underwear to or something to mull over on the train ride home, you can probably find a good balance of both on this album. Either way, you won’t end up slitting your wrists or waking up to find unsavory pictures of yourself on Facebook. See? Everybody wins.