Allison Crutchfield & the Fizz/Vagabon/Pretty Pretty

Previously a member of Philadelphia alt-punk band Swearin’, singer-songwriter Allison Crutchfield had a long-term relationship with the band's singer-guitarist Kyle Gilbride. In 2015, Swearin’ broke up, subsequently ending Crutchfield’s long-term relationship with Gilbride. Suddenly, the Philly music scene that fostered and supported Crutchfield’s musical career now became a volatile situation. Crutchfield channels those feelings into her solo debut, Tourist in This Town, an album dominated by synths and pop-driven indie rock songs. Many of the songs are autobiographical in nature and, although it’s a breakup album, the songs never come off as bitter or mean-spirited. A whole year of touring with Waxahatchee, the indie-rock project led by her sister Katie, also contributed to her approach on the album. At times, Tourist in This Town feels like it’s bigger than a solo project, like on the distorted and pounding single “Dean’s Room,” or “Expatriate,” which sounds like a lost ’60s girl group tune. However, the album still stays true to the solo formula. Songs like “I Don’t Ever Wanna Leave California” or “Charlie” carry a solitude and reflectiveness one would expect from a solo act. (Johnny Cook)