Samuel Holden Jaffe, also known by his stage name Del Water Gap, released the sophomore album of his solo project, “I Miss You Already + I Haven’t Left Yet,” on Sept. 29. The 12-track indie-pop album, immersed with layers of folk and rock, creates an eclectic sound true to his discography but explores new themes of addiction and self-acceptance reflective of Jaffe’s newfound fame and sobriety.
Del Water Gap has been open about his recent sobriety and his struggles making music without that crutch and portrays his experience within his new album. One of the most memorable tracks, “Beach House,” describes the dark side of addiction with the lyrics “In a k-hole listening to Nick Cave / I cut my tongue sucking on a toothache / Red wine and a plate of veal / In a blind rage feeling like a boy scout.”
The fast, tunneling beat and echo of Jaffe’s deep voice complements the raw lyricism describing the peak of the high. The tumultuous relationship Jaffe has with his vice despite his desire to end is clear as he sings repeatedly “And there’s no way out, there’s no way out / Don’t bite the hand, don’t let me drown / In her sweat, cigarette, till I’m back in the madness.”
One of the more vulnerable tracks of the album, “Want it All,” explores the transition period of ditching a bad habit but craving it all the same. In this folk-rock track, lyrics like, “Waitin’ for the dogwood to bloom / I’ve got a funny feeling / It’s not still the beginning / Of my life / There’s an owl outside my room / She’s tellin’ me to wander / Wake up in the pasture / Give up all this cryin’,” create a cocktail of desperation and subtle hopefulness seen throughout the album. The chorus repeatedly confesses “I want it all,” only to immediately change his mind every time, indicating Jaffe’s relationship with his future is a troubled one.
“Gone in Seconds,” the following track, is filled with imagery following this theme of recovery, with lyrics like “Over-caffeinated, chewin’ my cheeks / Been oversaturated, manic for weeks.” This song puts listeners in Jaffe’s shoes as he navigates life without the toxic comforts of his past. Throughout the album, Del Water Gap’s ability to paint a vivid picture and invoke sincere feelings of regret and relief with his lyricism is proven to be one of his strong suits as an artist.
Despite the heavy themes throughout the album, many of the tracks are lively and easy to get lost in. “Gemini,” a jazz-pop song complemented by strings of electric guitar and distant whistling that makes for a truly unique track. Another highlight of the album is “NFU,” an upbeat pop song with an undeniably fun, relatable chorus over clashing symbols and the deep thumping of the base that is perfect for a late-night drive with the windows down.
In the closing track of the album, “We Will Never Be Like Anybody Else,” Jaffe navigates a relationship he has grown out of but is struggling to move on from. Lacking the eclectic beat usually found in their music in favor of a simple piano melody, the longing tone of the captivating track reflects the difficulty of accepting the changes in oneself while still clinging to the past.
The beautifully heartbreaking track closes with Jaffe singing, “See you in a white dress / Catch your father pacing / With a hand on my chest / It would be amazing / But we will never be like anybody else,” with raw desperation. Whether or not he is able to accept it, it feels like Jaffe is closing a chapter with this song while he grieves the loss of both the physical and intangible pieces of the past.
“I Miss You Already + I Haven’t Left Yet,” at its core is about growth and overcoming toxic codependency, but the tone is often uplifted by Del Water Gap’s eccentric sense of musicality. While the inspiration for the album is rooted in heavy, personal topics for Jaffe, the variety of moody and electric beats, combined with catchy, unconventional lyricism definitely makes this album worth listening to and proves Del Water Gap is a promising indie-pop artist.
