You can hear the subtle reference of Sufjan Stevens, Clairo, and Phoebe Bridgers in retriever, but Kevin Atwater has a unique sparkle with sounds and songwriting that no one else in the world could get close to what he makes people feel in his music.

retriever examines intimacy, desire, shame, and friendship through a queer lens. Kevin Atwater takes us on a journey in this album. It’s not film. It feels even better than watching films. There’s a mood, a taste, a moment, and a story in each track that seems to get stuck in your head forever.

“dispose” features a florally silky texture where Atwater’s intimate vocal weaves into the soft harmonious texture with light. A simple, hypnotic guitar strumming lays underneath his unapologetically candid lyrics. Atwater is not afraid to be explicit.

“ashes” is where the artist’s masterful control with the guitar truly reveals itself. The folky, flowing soundscapes give in to tranquil storytelling. Kevin Atwater’s songwriting feels like something you could almost touch with your hands.

He talks about desires, love, secrets, and sparkles through his storytelling, articulating those experiences into words with heat and cool. “I’ve been waiting so long for the answers, so long I forgot the questions.”

“into the bed” instantly started with a rockier rhythm (we could see a glance of Clairo’s influence in here). “money shot” showcases the theatrical, emo side of Atwater.