Tyler Jordan and the Negative Space’s Everything You Have and Are is a Lyrically Powerful Work

by Casey Holder

Tyler Jordan and the Negative Space Everything You Have and Are

Tyler Jordan and the Negative Space’s full-length debut, Everything You Have and Are, is whisky-soaked folk rock at its best. The album was recorded and produced last summer in Brooklyn with the help of New York musicians Adrianne Lenker and Buck Meek of Big Thief, which recently signed with Omaha’s Saddle Creek Records.

Jordan comes from a singer-songwriter background and described his influences as an eclectic mix of everything from Bob Dylan and new folk troubadour Todd Snider to Kendrick Lamar’s Good Kid, M.A.A.D City. While the music is dynamic, the true power of the album comes from its lyrical content.

This is the sound of our wasted years,” a line from opening track “Ballerina,” neatly defines the collection of songs. Everything You Have and Are feels like the lyrics of a Neva Dinova song somehow found their way into a Creedence Clearwater Revival track.

“There are a few songs about women on it, but a lot of this record is about my family, and my childhood,” Jordan said. “A lot of the songs are deeply personal. It’s sad. It’s sad stuff.”

The three-piece has a sprawling southern-rock sound driven by delightful tube tones from Jordan on guitar all punctuated with the regret of his warm, melancholy and cutting lyrical presence.

The album is paced well and provides quality song after quality song leaving you wanting for more as the final song, “Why Would I Lie?,” fades out. Even with that longing in mind, Everything You Have and Are is an introspective collection of sad stories, piercing lyrics, heartache and fucking rock n’ roll that will undoubtedly satisfy anyone hungry for a fulfilling, emotional musical journey.

Tyler Jordan and the Negative Space will be releasing their album tonight, September 1st, at Barracuda with Basketball Shorts and more.


Casey Holder is a photojournalist and writer who has contributed to THRWD Magazine, DFW.com, Arlington Today Magazine and more.