motel void

Best Man is the project of Denver-based musician Emily Eicher. Among her biggest influences are Boygenius, The Japanese House, and Sufjan Stevens – all artists I personally admire as well.

People Pleaser is a deeply personal debut LP. Created over two and a half years, Emily wrote and recorded ten songs that chronicle the messy journey of, as she puts it, “learning to accept myself after a lifetime spent trying to make everyone else happy.”

The album opens with Intro a two-minute piece carried by a beautifully ringing electric guitar and ethereal, reverb-soaked vocals. If the goal of the intro was to draw listeners in, it works perfectly. It’s a gentle and immersive beginning.

The next track, Shit On, starts to bring more definition to the sound. It’s still relaxed and intimate, steeped in melancholy. Simple melodic lines create space for Eicher’s standout vocals, which bring to mind artists like Phoebe Bridgers. What stands out is also the precise, thoughtful production – occasional memorable synth lines or subtle flourishes add depth to the atmosphere without overwhelming it.

Up next is Look What You Did, one of the album’s singles. “I grew up in the church, and I spent years hiding parts of myself—especially my sexuality. About halfway through making this album, I came out as a lesbian and left a marriage to embrace who I truly am. That guilt and fear run through songs like ‘Look What You Did,’” Emily explained. Musically, the track moves at a slowcore pace, allowing the emotional weight of the lyrics to take center stage.

One of my personal highlights comes at the album’s midpoint with Tough Winter. Though slow and sparse, its understated drums offer just enough support to let the emotion breathe. Another standout is Do Anything for You, a warm acoustic track that wouldn’t feel out of place on an Adrianne Lenker record.

The album’s instrumental range expands even further on Lonely As I’ll Ever Be, a piano-driven track where Eicher’s voice reminds me of one of my favorites – Jenn Champion.

Best Man saves a hidden gem for the end in the form of Baby. With its memorable riff and simple drumline, it brings a more pop-leaning energy to the table, shifting the album’s tone in a subtle but effective way. Finally, Outro closes the record – an ambient piece that echoes the intro, tying the album together.

Emily played and recorded every note herself, crafting an album that feels raw and honest, yet hopeful. If you’re into slowcore that’s stripped to the bone – where the songwriter is behind every sound – you’ll definitely want to check this one out.

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