Los Angeles-based solo artist Ian Sweet released her third album, Show Me How You Disappear on March 5, via Hardly Art. On the record, singer-songwriter Jillian Medford reminds listeners that it’s never too late to learn to swim and ditch the sinking ship.
Show Me How You Disappear chronicles Medford’s quest to free herself from the crushing grips of her traumas —both the messy side and the empowering side. Mixing melancholy, reverb-filled lo-fi, indie-rock and dream-pop, Medford doesn’t reach for mighty, happy-go-lucky choruses. Instead, her choruses serve as a somber, impactful slaps in the face.
Medford found herself lost on previous records, easily swayed by her bandmates and forgetting about herself. Between this and an abusive relationship, Medford’s mental health hit a new low. As her anxiety and depression became increasingly debilitating, she checked herself into an intensive therapy program at the start of 2020. There she spent much of her time journaling, and from that, lyrics were born. After five-hour days of therapy, five days a week, she would rush to the studio to record with Daniel Fox (one of several producers involved with creating this album). He wasn’t aware of what she was going through at the time. Still, she finds new depth as a songwriter as she explores the act of standing up to herself.
The opening track, “My Favorite Cloud” has an airy production that creates the feeling of a mysterious unknown. Medford’s vocals sound like the guiding light for a ship lost at sea, speaking to you through the cloud of chaotic guitar and waves of synth, guiding you to safety — into the new world.
Ian Sweet stays true to her tender but tough themes heard throughout their discography. Frenetic pop track, or as Medford calls it her “Ultimate Fighter manifesto,” ‘Sword’ is the perfect example of this. “My body is a sword / It gets sharper when it gets ignored,” she repeats, almost like a warning sign.
Women are often taught that showing emotion is a form of weakness. However, Show Me How You Disappear acknowledges the power in vulnerability.
The track “Get Better” serves as the record’s unofficial mission statement. “I want to get better, better, better, but I just get you well instead,” Medford waveringly chants while playing subdued distorted guitar, pushing away her negative thoughts through positive mantra-like repetition.
Ian Sweet’s vulnerability throughout Show Me How You Disappear causes the listener to consider the power of people. Like a ship in the night, we can all make it through the rough waters of life, and maybe, just maybe, we can gain some true, unbounded bliss.
Essential Tracks: “Sword,” “Get Better” and “Drink The Lake”