The Lowest Pair Always As Young As We’ll Ever Be
Listening to Always As Young As We’ll Ever Be, I’m impressed by how The Lowest Pair manages to make vulnerability feel not just brave but inviting. After six years away from the studio, Kendl Winter and Palmer T. Lee return with a collection that feels like a gentle conversation with an old friend—one who isn’t afraid to sit with you in life’s messiness and uncertainty.
Right from the opening track, “Give It All Away,” I found myself drawn in by the album’s frankness. The refrain about feeling lighter when you let go struck a chord in me, and I appreciated how the duo doesn’t sugarcoat the heaviness of holding on. There’s a refreshing lack of pretense here; instead, the songs invite you to acknowledge your own struggles and maybe even cut yourself some slack.
“Diamonds” is a personal favorite, with its shimmering harmonies exuding an aura of quiet strength. It’s the kind of song that makes you want to keep going, even when things get tough. And when the album shifts to “The Uncertain Seas,” I felt the ache of trying to bridge emotional distances—a sensation most of us have experienced.
The supporting musicians add just the right amount of color without ever overshadowing Winter and Lee’s core sound. I loved the subtle touches of fiddle and mandolin, which give the album warmth and depth that’s easy to melt into.
The album highlights a willingness to embrace imperfection. Tracks like “Tiny Rebellions” and “Quantum Physics” don’t offer easy answers but instead celebrate the unpredictability of love and life. “Shitty Light” is a moment of raw self-awareness that caught me off guard, and “Thorn” closes the album with a sense of quiet reflection that lingers long after the music stops.
Always As Young As We’ll Ever Be is more than just a collection of songs; it’s a reminder that we’re all in this thing we call life together, navigating the same cycles of joy, grief, hope, and renewal. The Lowest Pair have crafted an album that feels deeply human, honest, and heartfelt.
If you’re looking for music that meets you where you are and gently encourages you to keep moving forward, this album is well worth your time.
Always As Young As We’ll Ever Be was produced, tracked, and mixed by Tucker Martine at Flora Recording and Playback in Portland, OR. Justin Perkins mastered the album.
Artists on the album are Travis Palmer (vocals, guitar, banjo), Kendl Winter (vocals, guitar, banjo), Adam Roszkiewicz (synths, guitars, mandolin), Sydney Nash (bass), JT Bates (drums, percussion), and Leif Karlstrom (fiddle).
Discover more about the Lowest Pair here.