Courtney barnett finds new ground in desert reflections on 'creatures of habit'

Courtney Barnett returns with Creatures of Habit, a collection steeped in introspective songwriting and a newfound appreciation for the California landscape. Five years after Things Take Time, Take Time, the Australian musician details a journey of relocation, creative evolution, and a deliberate embrace of sonic simplicity.

A desert shift and musical evolution

Barnett, speaking to Vogue, describes the album’s genesis as a direct result of a significant life change: relocating from Melbourne to Los Angeles and closing her 13-year-old record label. This period of transition, coupled with a year of focused songwriting, fostered a distinct sonic landscape for Creatures of Habit.

The recording process was intimately tied to her new surroundings. She chose Rancho De La Luna in Joshua Tree, a local studio that provided the space and quietude necessary for reflection. “It was just so, so peaceful, with no real distractions,” she explains. This contrasts with the often overwhelming choices presented by streaming Music, a preference she actively avoids, favoring the tactile experience of vinyl.

Collaboration and sonic influences

A notable addition to the album is the collaboration with Katie Crutchfield of Waxahatchee on the track “Site Unseen.” Barnett cites Crutchfield’s vocal range as the perfect complement to the song's harmonies, a connection forged during years of touring. “I just asked her if she’d be up for it, and she was!” Barnett shared. Her listening habits during the album’s creation reveal a deliberate return to older musical touchstones, including Paul McCartney’s Midnight Love and several Harry Nilsson records, offering a grounding influence amid sonic exploration.

The songwriting process itself, while rooted in her familiar methods – sitting with a desk, guitar, or piano – felt subtly different. Years of creative growth had shifted her approach, prompting a renewed sense of excitement and evolution. She admitted to a subconscious caution against directly replicating past work, pushing her to explore new territories.

The shift to Los Angeles has proven beneficial, offering a balance between a vibrant social life and the opportunity for solitude and exploration. Hiking in the surrounding mountains, like the challenging ascent of Mount Baldy, has become a significant part of her routine and a source of inspiration. “I love that you can go up for two hours and then be back in twenty minutes,” she says. This newfound connection to the natural world seems to be subtly shaping her artistic perspective.

Barnett’s musical community, she notes, is in a constant state of flux, mirroring the changes she’s experienced personally. While Melbourne’s scene is evolving, Los Angeles offers a different dynamic, attracting a diverse range of artists. The comfort of familiar vinyl records, a deliberate antidote to the endless scroll of streaming platforms, provides a grounding element in a rapidly changing musical landscape.

Creatures of Habit isn't just an album; it's a sonic map of a life in motion, a testament to the power of relocation and the enduring influence of the past on the present. Barnett has crafted a collection that’s both deeply personal and universally resonant.