U.S. Girls have spent a decade building a reputation for records that sound like nothing else around them. Scratch It is the band’s ninth album, and it is the most direct one they have made yet. Where past records buried their hooks in dense arrangements, this one wants to be heard at once. It is shorter, lighter, and more immediate than anything in their catalog. The goal is simple: pleasure over density.
The record opens with “Like James Said,” a song about the way people talk past each other in conversation. It sets the tone immediately — conversational, warm, and built for the room. Then comes “Dear Patti,” a track that leans into a country-pop swing and turns a letter to a musician into a full-throated singalong. Together, these two songs make the strongest case for the album’s thesis: danceable music can carry weight without losing its footing.
The Middle Stretch
“The Clearing” follows, a slow-burning track that lets the rhythm breathe. It is the quietest moment on the record, and it works as a hinge between the front half and the back half. “Walking Song” picks the pace back up, a mid-tempo rocker that feels loose and unhurried.
Then comes “Bookends,” the longest track on the record at 11:51. It is a sprawling, layered piece that moves through several distinct sections, each one building on the last. It is the most ambitious moment here, and it is also the most exhausting. The payoff arrives late, and some listeners will find themselves waiting for it.
“Emptying the Jimador” brings the pace back down again, a gentle, acoustic-leaning track that sounds like a lullaby. “Pay Streak” shifts gears once more, a driving track that builds tension across its three-and-a-half minutes. “No Fruit” closes the album on a note of quiet resolution, a short, stripped-down piece that ends the record on a soft landing.
The Two Tracks That Define It
“Like James Said” is the standout. It is a song about listening — about hearing what someone is actually saying, not just the words they choose. The melody is immediate, the lyrics are sharp, and the arrangement stays out of its own way. It is the clearest statement of intent on the record.
“Dear Patti” is the other anchor. It is a love letter to a musician, told from the perspective of someone who missed a performance because they were watching over children. It is funny, tender, and honest in a way that cuts through the noise of the genre. It is the track that proves the album’s central argument: you can write about loss and longing and still make a song that moves.
The Lesser Moments
The middle stretch is where the album loses some of its momentum. “The Clearing” and “Walking Song” are competent, but they do not demand attention the way the bookends of the record do. “Emptying the Jimador” is pleasant but slight, and “No Fruit” feels like a placeholder closer rather than a statement.
“Bookends” is the riskiest track, and it is the one that will divide listeners. Some will find the sprawl rewarding; others will find it indulgent. It is the longest track on the record, and it asks for patience that not everyone will want to give.
What the Record Actually Does
The critical response has been strong. Metacritic aggregates sit at 87/100, and critics have described the album as the most accessible U.S. Girls record to date, with danceable tracks prioritizing the pleasure principle while still addressing political and personal themes. The consensus is that the band has found a new balance — one where the songs are both immediate and meaningful.
One review noted the lyric “If you wanna know how I feel / You gotta wait for / Wait for my biography.” Another quoted the line “Patti, I didn’t get to hear you play / I was making sure my kids didn’t fall in the lake.” Both capture the album’s approach: the songs are personal, but they are not private.
Comparing the Bookends
| Track | Length | Role |
|---|---|---|
| “Like James Said” | 3:20 | Opening statement |
| “Dear Patti” | 3:30 | Central pivot |
| “Bookends” | 11:51 | Middle sprawl |
| “No Fruit” | 2:33 | Closing gesture |
The record runs 38 minutes, and it earns nearly every second of that time. The two bookend tracks — “Like James Said” and “Dear Patti” — frame a middle section that is less focused but still consistent in tone. The album is a tight, deliberate piece of work, and it knows exactly what it is doing.
Key Facts Box
– Artist: U.S. Girls
– Album: Scratch It
– Release type: Album
– Tracks: 9
– Total running time: 38 minutes
– Metacritic: 87/100
Verdict
Scratch It is a record that knows when to stop talking and let the music do the work. It is the most accessible U.S. Girls album to date, and it is also the most confident one. The two bookend tracks — “Like James Said” and “Dear Patti” — are the reason to buy the record, and the rest of the album holds up around them.
It is not perfect. The middle stretch drags in places, and “Bookends” will test the patience of anyone who wants a quick payoff. But the record’s ambition is admirable, and its execution mostly delivers.
This is a band at the height of its powers, making music that is both immediate and thoughtful. The pleasure principle is real, and the politics are present without being heavy-handed. It is a record that rewards repeated listens, and it is a record that earns its place alongside the band’s best work.
- Like James Said3:20
- Dear Patti3:30
- Firefly on the 4th of July2:37
- The Clearing3:52
- Walking Song3:48
- Bookends11:51
- Emptying the Jimador3:17
- Pay Streak3:49
- No Fruit2:33
