Mac DeMarco’s sensational new album is here, and ready to be toured across the UK in November, as well as a 2026 tour early across Japan & North America next year. Extraordinarily, this new album was recorded and written entirely in November 2024 in DeMarco’s home in Los Angeles. He had complete control over all the aspects of the record, and reflected on it, saying, “I think Guitar is as close to a true representation of where I’m at in my life today as I can manage to put to paper. I’m happy to share this music and look forward to playing these songs in as many places as I’m able.“
‘Home’ was released as a single before the album was introduced to the world. DeMarco described it as “A song I wrote at my home in Los Angeles about what home means to me.” The song is accompanied by a video he shot while canoeing near his mother’s home in Canada. ‘Holy’ was another single, where he asks for a miracle to help him lift a “curse from which he may never be free.” The title, as well as the repetition of the title, gives a religious tone to the song and could suggest that faith can bring stability to life.
The new record also comes after DeMarco’s instrumental offering, ‘Five Easy Hot Dogs,’ which was recorded partially in Los Angeles and other locations, including New York.
In total, there are 12 tracks on Guitar. The album captures the quintessential Mac DeMarco vibe: emotional yet laid back, melancholy wrapped in warmth, as well as allowing for some reflection to lyrics including “These days I’d much rather be on my own,” “No more walking those streets that I once called my home,” and “Because down every lane there are faces and names that have memories attached.”
The tracks on this album develop a very intimate atmosphere for the listener, which is key to making an album as incredible as this. The guitar is used very strategically in line with the bass notes to flow seamlessly with the vocal melody. This is especially seen in ‘Shining’, the opener to the album, and other tracks including ‘Sweeter.’ The opening tune feels almost like a letter never meant to be read, intimate and fragile, setting the personal tone which carries through the record.
‘Phantom’ is a very metaphorical song for the loss of someone, exaggerated in the lyrics “Your Phantom sits with me” and “I love you still.” These suggest there was some kind of emotional pain that DeMarco channelled into this song, pulling tightly on the heartstrings.
The drums stay understated and punchy throughout, leaving space for the guitar and bass to take the spotlight and drive the songs with a sense of freedom. As well as this, Mac DeMarco’s voice and melodies are dazzling. They warrant a sense of personal growth during his time as an artist, which is only exaggerated by the ability to make an entire album personal and relatable to others.
The riffs in ‘Rock and Roll’ are some of my favourites on the record, since they are almost quite bluesy, fitting perfectly with the overall vibe of the song. ‘Knocking’ was another standout; the rhythmic sound of the backing bass and drums creates a full sound, especially when DeMarco sings the word “Knocking,” and a similar, melodic instrumental follows. He maintains the intimate tone with the words “Freedom you’re too scared to execute,” which is something I believe many people can align with.
Overall, Guitar is both deeply personal and widely relatable, and is an album where raw storytelling meets deceptively simple but powerful instrumentation. After listening to this album, being a fan, and seeing his success in previous years, I do not doubt that the upcoming tour will be a remarkable experience for the fans. Mac DeMarco looks set to deliver once again!
Words: Belle Smith
