Love and aging: Mac DeMarco's 'This Old Dog'
Friday Favourites | Week 6
This Old Dog was released on May 5th 2017; a quirky record brimming with both acoustic and psychedelic-electronic sounds. The album examines the idea of ‘coming-of-age’ through romantic relationships, family, and self-reflection.
The introspective matters the album divulges is earnest, but simultaneously there is that classic ‘DeMarco silliness’ that reminds the listener to not take things so seriously. There is no wonder why his music resonates so deeply with young people - he is a voice for the chaos of growing up.
‘My Old Man’ is the first track on the record and represents the ultimate theme of aging and transformation - an intimately confusing subject. A tense father/son relationship is illustrated here, DeMarco acknowledging bitterly that he has become “old and cold and tired and lonely” due to his impulsive attitudes and addictions in life, like his father who left the family when Mac was only four. A light acoustic chord progression permeates the song, a notably dissimilar vibe to the goofy ‘jangle pop’ qualities of 2 and Salad Days (first two studio albums).
This Old Dog as a whole is much slower and moodier, with captivating synth segments that generate that psychedelic/bedroom-pop atmosphere DeMarco was experimenting within. Mac Demarco has noted Japanese singer-songwriter Haruomi Hosono as an inspiration for his work, and this is clearly prominent in This Old Dog. Hosono’s work similarly traversed genres with both an acoustic and electronic base; for example, the bewitchingly experimental ‘Honey Moon’ which came out in 1975 and DeMarco covered in 2018, and then, on the other hand, the cheery, acoustic ‘Rock‐A‐Bye My Baby’ (1973).
In both a lyrical and instrumental sense, therefore, DeMarco seemed to embark on a new direction with This Old Dog.
Romantic aspects of the album split into two key subjects; a celebration of love, and the loss of it. Tracks like the eponymous ‘This Old Dog’, then ‘For The First Time’ are backed by a slow drum beat alongside rich synth parts; DeMarco symbolising a sense of innocent devotion to another. ‘For The First Time’s simple bassline depicts the ease of the singer’s affection for their partner, while the twinkly synthesiser melody throughout generates a hazy love-fuelled environment the two exist within.
In contrast, ‘Still Beating’ and ‘One More Love Song’ portrays love as something to be twisted and ruined by yourself or the other person respectively. ‘One More Love Song’ paints the image of someone who has been heartbroken too many times to count, yet they continue to strive for affection; “another try, another go, never thought you’d feel this low”. The echoey piano parts on this song truly create a eerie, empty feeling; DeMarco showcasing a mastery in symbolising solitude.
Self-discovery dominates This Old Dog; an patently huge part of aging. DeMarco advises the listener with ‘Baby You’re Out’ (not to stay stuck in the past) and ‘A Wolf Who Wears Sheeps Clothes’ (don’t let the outside world get to your head). Both tracks are notably more up-tempo, with the latter even incorporating a harmonica; perhaps another influence on Mac shining through here in the form of early Neil Young’s work in the 60s folk genre. Here, it seems DeMarco almost represents an older figure, bestowing his wisdom to the younger generation.
Yet, there are songs like ‘On The Level’ and ‘Moonlight On The River’ which present the singer as just as lost as the listeners he is advising. The former track is less obvious in its meaning compared to guiding words of the others, suggesting this is a observation of Mac DeMarco’s own soul. “Man, I never had a choice” is personal and dismaying; he knows he must “stand up like a man” and gain some self-reliance, see himself as something other than a reflection of his father. The synth elements of ‘On The Level’ seem to master the whole song, DeMarco’s vocals echoey and distant in comparison.
‘Moonlight On The River’ is a song I could write an entire essay on but today, I will keep it short. Again, DeMarco is writing about his confusing emotions regarding his estranged father; it is “so strange, deciding, how I feel about you”. The buoyant chorus regards “moonlight on the river”, a symbol of death. Despite the bitter feelings he has towards his father, he feels he must “say[.. his] goodbyes” amicably before his father passes away. The song is gentle and soothing before melting into frighting distortion in the second half; a representation of the singer’s bewildered feelings about his father.
This Old Dog is introspective; Mac Demarco contemplates change, love, and the past in such a personal manner, one cannot help but resonate with it.