Skylar Sarkis of the Rochester alt-rock band Taking Meds has returned focus to his solo project Growing Stone. Released on January 30, the EP “Ugly II” is subtle yet disarming.
The 20-plus minutes of music spread out over six tracks on “Ugly II” mirror the structure of its predecessor “Ugly,” released over seven years ago. All but one song from “Ugly II” first appeared on Growing Stone’s 2024 album “Death of a Momma’s Boy” as alt-pop arrangements that diffuse some of the pain in the lyrics.
On “Ugly II,” unobtrusive acoustic guitar provides the harmonic texture and gentle pulse that will be welcome to the ears of 2000s-era indie folk fans. It’s easy to cite the late singer-songwriter Elliott Smith as an influence, with his minimal instrumentation and hushed explorations of his inner psychology.
On the opening track “No Substitute,” Sarkis distills the emotional tone of the collection in the lyric And I’ve been cautioned you burn bright / But there ain’t no substitute for natural light, even with the bite.
“Play the Rogue” contains the realization that despite having moved away from behavior enabled by alcohol dependence, the songwriter’s prospects don’t seem brighter — he’s just lonelier: And I could choose between a meeting and a crutch / I do the same down here except even when I drink, I’m still losing touch.
Similarly, “Apple Church Road” finds Sarkis in an introspective mood, pining for a what-could-have-been relationship while pursuing a life of recovery. By contrast, the relationship wished for on “The Keep” feels more attainable.
Still, Sarkis unflinchingly points out a painful irony: sometimes the clarity of knowing what you truly want now is inextricably linked to the past that hamstrung you and held you back.
