Patchwork marks Andrew Savage’s first full-length studio album. Joined by Joe Hilling on drums and Jack Meidel on bass, Savage laid down nine tracks across two Saturdays at Dogstar Studio. Most of the songs were recorded live, aiming to capture the band in its truest form – unpolished, a bit rough around the edges, but genuine.
From the very first track, it’s obvious why Savage chose to record as much of the material live as possible – some artists simply thrive in that raw, unpolished environment, and too much studio polishing could easily dull the natural dynamics and energy. Another Restless Life is a fantastic opener with a warm indie vibe, elevated by a great female vocal and a playful sense of dynamics. The vocal hook is catchy, and there’s a strong hit potential here – somewhere between Pavement and Bright Eyes. Water the Cat immediately reminded me of one of my favorite bands, The Weakerthans, who also excel at that blend of soft melancholy paired with brighter, more upbeat instrumentation. Not everyone can pull off that contrast well, but Savage truly shines in it.
One of the highlights of the first half of the album is the energetic Goddess of War, which charms with its harmonica and carries a distinctly Weezer-like cadence. It leans into an Americana vibe with a wonderfully catchy, perfectly ’90s mood. Another standout is Fire Me Up, which feels slightly rougher and more aggressive. I especially love the emo-tinged section in the middle – just distant guitar, vocals up front, and motorik drums. The melody cuts deep, the simple chorus works, and Savage’s vocal has an urgency and rawness that really hit.
In the middle of the record comes a moment of calm with Disposable Camera, recorded solo on acoustic guitar (as is the short Down to the Bone). Here, Savage proves that with strong songwriting and a compelling delivery, even the barest, stripped-down arrangements can feel powerful. In the second half, when the song expands into shouting passages, it cuts straight to the bone — a great track.
Next comes the album’s longest piece, Savannah, So Lonesome, which reminds me of one of my all-time favorites, Magnolia Electric Co. With its country-leaning vibe, it immediately brought me back to my own memories of traveling across the United States – even though I was on the West Coast – the nature, the quiet stretches of Nevada and Utah, the sense of open space… Halfway through, the song lifts into a more energetic moment before shifting into even more country-rock-infused guitar work, finishing with a piano outro. A beautifully crafted track with a strong emotional frame. The following $2 Movie stands out thanks to its wild, raw solo at the end – exactly the kind of roughness I appreciate, and fully in tune with the album’s embrace of imperfection.
Another rock anthem arrives with Parking Lot Puddle, which might have the strongest intro on the whole album. I love the understated, slightly melancholic melody – and it’s here that I realized I had truly fallen in love with Savage’s vocal tone.
The final track, Great Divide, begins in a darker, Jason Molina-esque western mood, first with synths and then a massive raw guitar solo. It’s an energetic, almost epic song. The atmosphere is no longer relaxed as in the album’s early moments – there’s a distinct heaviness and darkness creeping in, and I think that shift serves the record well.
Patchwork is a warm, fully alive debut album, it captures Andrew Savage at his most authentic – shifting naturally between indie warmth, Americana flourishes, raw emo flashes, and dusty country-rock Neil Young moods. What holds everything together is strong songwriting, a compelling vocal presence, and an energy that never feels forced. There was no click track used on the album, and you can hear that in the best possible way – the record truly feels alive.
This album was discovered via Submit Hub
motel void 
Leave a comment