The third solo album from Jenn Wasner, recording under the name Flock of Dimes, is an unflinching account of addiction, co-dependency, trauma and finding peace in the face of other’s suffering. In Wasner’s own words, “As it turns out, this record is not someone else’s story–it is mine, the story of my life. A life spent believing I had escaped, and that I deserved to feel guilty for doing so. A life in which I believed that the right combination of words, actions, effort, and expense could somehow change others’ behaviour. And a life in which blindness to my own patterns caused me to hurt others and prevented me from finding the true love and acceptance I yearned for.”
As that statement would suggest, ‘The Life You Save’ is an emotional and thoughtful album. Musically, it sees the artist, previously known as part of the duo Wye Oak and for her collaborations with Bon Iver, weaving Americana, folk and electronics to great effect. The album begins with a statement of intent, the opening words of its first track ‘Afraid’ being, “I did not enter this world afraid / And I refuse to leave it this way.” While such lyrics could easily suggest lyrical grandstanding, Wasner’s voice is subtler. It has a weary, battered quality, albeit with a fine sense of melodic but melancholic grace. Before long, any pretence of self-control is lost as she reflects, “I made you scared when I cried.” The accompanying pedal steel, piano and understated percussion ensure the medicine slides down smoothly. It sets the template for the following eleven songs. ‘Keep Me in the Dark’ has her “staring back at the habit while it’s staring at me” and “trying but I’m getting it wrong… but I never wanted to hurt anyone.” There is an acknowledgement of fumbling unsuccessfully, being in too deep yet with that resignation come harmonies that elevate the song beyond being merely a tale of woe.
‘Long After Midnight’ is a particular highlight. Starting with a simple strummed guitar, pedal steel comes in serving to highlight the depth and range of Wasner’s vocal performance. There is a sense of martyr complex from the first words, “all the money I gave to you / I know I will never get it back” through to the analogy “you be hell and I be heaven.” With its minimal introductory eery echo and ensuing electronics, ‘Defeat’ represents a musical shift and gives impetus to what otherwise is an acceptance of failure, though through it comes an element of release. ‘Close To Home’ also makes successful use of electronics and unassertive yet imaginative beats. Emerging out of controlled feedback, ‘Enemy’ becomes countrified with blasts of rock in a song of “violence upon violence” and the biblical imperative “love the sinner, hate the sin.”
The unadorned fingerpicking style of ‘Not Yet Free’ allows Wasner’s voice to be showcased to devastating effect. When she sings in the chorus of “night fever”, it is of a vastly different kind to that which the Bee Gees celebrated, as evidenced by her following it with “night terror.” Throughout the album, there is a sense of emotional journey and ‘Pride’ sees her recognising the title’s dangers. The song features some nifty, emotional guitarwork and her voice breaks as she admits to being “dog tired.” The countrified ‘Theo’ represents a form of breakthrough as she insists, “call on god, don’t call on me… I can’t carry you.”
By ‘Instead of Calling’, she is still hiding “from my truth / as I hide in my song” and mournful strings add to the mood. There is an element of serenity to ‘River in My Arms’ with its fingerpicking and wash of piano and electronics. Rounding off the album is the subdued beauty of ‘I Think I’m God’ which is far from a triumphant boast as is clear from its following line, “I know I’m not.” There is a recognition of her self-destructive patterns of behaviour, “So I tried to give protection / but could not set you free / So the hurt is your misfortune / but the shame belongs to me.” The song’s strummed guitar is matched with descending bass notes and Wasner’s voice while fragile has rarely sounded lovelier.
‘The Life You Save’ is a well plotted journey through self-analysis. It is a clear-sighted account of well-meaning but damaging behaviour. Alongside this unity of theme, the music acts primarily as a comfort blanket though with occasional more unsettling moments while Wasner’s warm ache of a voice makes an ideal companion to the journey.
Flock of Dimes: The Life You Save – Out 10 October 2025 (Sub Pop)
of Dimes – Long After Midnight (Official Video)
I was editor of the long-running fanzine, Plane Truth, and have subsequently written for a number of publications. While the zine was known for championing the most angular independent sounds, performing in recent years with a community samba percussion band helped to broaden my tastes so that in 2021 I am far more likely to be celebrating an eclectic mix of sounds and enthusing about Made Kuti, Anthony Joseph, Little Simz and the Soul Jazz Cuban compilations as well as Pom Poko and Richard Dawson.
