The Set Up, the latest release from Portland based The Delines, is a direct continuation of their 2025 release Mr. Luck & Ms. Doom – both thematically and stylistically. Rather than marking a shift or evolution, the album extends the same narrative world, revisiting similar characters, settings, and subject matter with a consistent tone and structure.
As with its predecessor, the storytelling approach remains central: each song functions as a self-contained vignette, but together they form a broader portrait of people living on the margins—often dealing with addiction, financial hardship, and unstable relationships. In this sense, The Set Up feels less like a new chapter and more like a second volume built from the same material.
Musically, there is little departure from the sound of Mr. Luck & Ms. Doom. The arrangements are deliberately restrained, built around piano, light percussion, and occasional brass or organ textures. Tempos remain slow, and the band avoids dramatic shifts in dynamics or structure. This creates a cohesive listening experience, but also reinforces the sense that both albums occupy the same sonic space.
The continuity is particularly evident in the album’s tone. Where Mr. Luck & Ms. Doom established a focus on damaged characters and unresolved situations, The Set Up continues those themes without offering resolution. Songs like “Can You Get Me Out of Phoenix?” and “The Reckless Life” revisit familiar narrative territory—people attempting to change their circumstances but remaining constrained by them.
“Dilaudid Diane” is one of the clearest examples of this approach. Like several tracks on the previous record, it addresses addiction in a straightforward, observational manner. The sparse arrangement—primarily piano and vocal—mirrors the stripped-back style used throughout Mr. Luck & Ms. Doom, reinforcing the connection between the two albums.
Amy Boone’s vocal delivery remains consistent with earlier work. Her performance is controlled and understated, prioritising clarity and narrative over emotional variation. This aligns with Vlautin’s writing style, which tends toward detailed, matter-of-fact storytelling rather than overt sentimentality. The band’s instrumentation follows the same principle, functioning primarily as support rather than a focal point.
From a production perspective, The Set Up mirrors the clean, uncluttered sound of its predecessor. There is minimal use of effects, and the mix emphasises lyrical intelligibility. This further contributes to the sense of continuity between the two records.
Overall, The Set Up operates as a companion piece to Mr. Luck & Ms. Doom rather than a standalone statement. It reinforces the same themes, musical approach, and narrative style, effectively extending the world introduced on the previous album. For listeners familiar with that record, this continuity will feel deliberate and cohesive; for others, it may come across as a lack of differentiation between releases.
The Set Up is available now on digital, CD and vinyl. Vinyl purchases from the band’s label Decor webstore will also receive a bonus cd soundtrack to the new Willy Vlautin novel The Left and the Lucky