Austin-based indie/psych rock band Annabelle Chairlegs releases their third album titled ‘WAKING UP.’
Annabelle Chairlegs is the project of singer/songwriter Lindsey Mackin along with drummer Nick Cornetti, bassist Simon Maresh, and guitarist Nolan Potter. Mackin has been an Austin-based artist since 2013, playing in festivals like Austin City Limits, SXSW, Levitation, and Austin Psych Fest. Waking Up is their third album and first studio release, collaborating with producer Ty Segall and TODO Records.
The record begins with the title track, where Mackin’s vocals whisper into either side of listeners’ ears in a split-stereo mix, overlapping and interrupting herself in a trippy, soft-spoken intro. Then the song kicks into a chill rock tune, setting the tone for the rest of the album.
One of the recurring images of the album is walking alongside your lover. The progression goes from “I walk alone with you” on “Waking Up,” to “Walking down the street…Are you with me?” on “Concrete Trees” and “I feel you walk beside when I’m all alone” on “Ice Cream On The Beach.” Then, this unnamed person goes into the sky on “Above it All.” Finally, the last track of the album says that “Street Urchins [are] walking with me.” These lyrics paint a picture of a complicated, often isolating relationship that changes from song to song.
The songs also change from mellow initially to more intense psych rock, like on “Heavy Sleeper.” The music video utilizes trippy visuals, with overexposed lights, trippy colors, and mesmerizing sets and effects capturing the feeling of being caught in a dream that you can’t escape.
One aspect that stands out about the album is the split-stereo mixing that continues throughout the record. It’s a great effect when used sparingly, but “Above it All” uses it for the entire song, panning the vocals to the right and guitar to the left, which can sound strange to headphone users. However, the album overall is a great display of skills all-around, from songwriting to performances to production.
Annabelle Chairlegs will be performing with fellow Austin-based band Farmer’s Wife for their album release show on February 13th at Mohawk in Austin, TX.
I am an Austin, TX-based photographer and filmmaker. I moved from Houston to attend the University of Texas at Austin, where I graduated in 2022. I'm a lifelong music lover and spend tons of time attending shows and making music. Some current favorites are Sophie May, Farmer’s Wife, and K. Flay.
