Shelter Boy, Failure Familiar

After ten years as the guitarist for Still Trees, Simon Graupner, felt that it was time to step out on his own. Under the moniker Shelter Boy, Graupner releasing a few singles starting in 2018 and an EP in 2019. Now, Graupner has released his debut album, Failure Familiar.  

Graupner has said that his solo work draws on inspiration from the Beatles, Oasis, Stone Roses, and J Dilla. While I certainly can hear bits of these artists in Graupner's work, he certainly does not lean into them too much, which is a good thing. Interestingly enough, he has been compared more to artists like Mac DeMarco and King Krule. I suspect because of his vocal style.

On Failure Familiar, what Graupner does lean into is sharing his failures and insecurities. But almost as quickly, he embraces the notion of keeping going and not letting them get the better of himself. Set against a musical back drop that feels lighthearted and almost joyous, you can't help but want to get behind Graupner and help make Failure Familiar more....familiar to more people. I know that I will certainly will be....as I am right now.