The Ah: Mere Husk
Richard Gehr on April 1, 2020
A Zeitgeist-defining moment arrives midway through “Watermelon Tears” on Mere Husk (NNA Tapes), the second album by Jeremy Gustin, who records as The Ah. At one point, manic laughter suddenly rises out of a formerly benign instrumental track, but the merriment soon morphs into the wails of crying babies. Welcome to 2020, folks! The inventive drummer/composer’s album has a casually layered sound—like friendly machines mixing it up with cuddly kittens— that suggests a sunny afternoon ramble around the neighborhood. But there’s something slightly eerie in the air, something you can’t quite put your finger on.
