On his song “Wristwatch,” singer/songwriter MJ Lenderman combines traditional country and rock music instrumentation with very modern lyrics about.. An Apple Watch. In the song, Lenderman boasts of his material possessions, possessions that are supposed to make up for his loneliness. “I’ve got a houseboat docked at the Himbo Dome,” he sings, “and a wristwatch that’s a pocket knife and a megaphone/and a wristwatch that tells me I’m on my own.” It’s a lament straight from the 2020s, and it rocks.
It’s Lenderman’s marriage of indie rock sounds and modern, internet and sports-pilled 20-something lyricism that first pulled me in to his music. Across his solo discography, Lenderman has songs full of references you might not expect. He sings about Six Flags, Dan Marino, overeating at a fair, catching up on his TV, and of course his technologically advanced wristwatch. ***But Lenderman is also an instrumental wonderkid – for instance he’s played drums for Indigo De Souza and guitar for Wednesday. So all of his modern lyrics, songs about shoe deals and Michael Jordan, are laid over some of the best pure rock instrumentals we’ve heard in years.
Another thing about MJ Lenderman is the guy has work ethic. Since 2019, Lenderman has managed to release four studio albums and a live album as a solo artist, while continuing to play in the band Wednesday. His latest solo album, called Manning Fireworks, features the song Wristwatch as well as “She’s Leaving You,” which has managed to hit on the Billboard US Rock Airplay chart.
What’s clear is that Lenderman is a music superstar on the rise, and 2025 could be the biggest year yet for the Asheville, North Carolina native. MJ Lenderman’s music, including “Wristwatch” and “She’s Leaving You” is available now.
The post Culture Crash: A Musical Ascent For This Indie Rock Star appeared first on Viewpoints Radio.
