Courtney Barnett has built her reputation on writing songs about feeling stuck, and Creature of Habit doesn’t move far from that territory. What’s different this time is how it sounds. The music is a bit bigger, a bit brighter, and more varied than before, even if the core themes stay the same.
‘Stay in Your Lane’ sets things up well. It’s stiff and direct, with Barnett pushing herself forward rather than sitting in that familiar state of hesitation. That feeling of movement runs through the album. The guitars are still there, still pointed when they need to be, but there’s more going on around them now. You hear touches of synth pop, bits of country, and a lighter, more open feel across the record.
Some of that works really well. ‘Mantis’ is one of the best songs here, building steadily into something genuinely melodic without losing that slightly uncertain edge that suits her writing. ‘Site Unseen’, with Waxahatchee, brings in pedal steel and a warmer sound, but underneath it she’s still picking apart her own habits and overthinking. ‘Sugar Plum’ is another highlight. It tips further into a pop sound than she’s done before, and it shows she can carry it without losing what makes her interesting.
The album isn’t as consistent as it could be, though. There are points where the sound feels a bit cluttered, especially when the percussion gets too busy. ‘Great Advice’ is a good example. The lyrics land, but the arrangement gets in the way of them slightly. A few songs also drift into similar tempos and textures, which takes away some of the impact as the record goes on.
Even so, the strength of the album is still Barnett herself. She’s very good at writing about everyday thoughts and frustrations without overcomplicating them. Lines about getting in your own way or trying to get your head straight might feel overly simple, but they stick because they’re honest.
In Creature of Habit, Barnett’s sound has opened up, her songwriting is still sharp, and even when it doesn’t fully come together, there’s enough here to show she’s moving in the right direction.
Photo credit: Lindsey Byrnes
