by Shannon Smith
Paul Kelly is one of those songwriters who moved beyond writing catchy songs. Instead, he paints vignettes of the human experience with his lyrics. With Fever Longing Still, the iconic singer-songwriter embraces a timeless rock ethos, blending poetic lyrics with melodies that strike the heart like a well-aimed arrow. The result is a record that is alive with unflinchingly honest, a testament to Kelly’s mastery of his craft.
The album opens with “Houndstooth Dress,” a vibrant and emotionally charged track that sets the tone for the entire record. It’s a bittersweet love song wrapped in [...]
by Shannon Smith
Father John Misty—born Joshua Michael Tillman—has made a career as an enigmatic figure, both a purveyor of biting social satire and a seeker of deeper existential truths. His journey from J. Tillman’s introspective acoustic folk roots to the lush, expansive sonic palette of Father John Misty has been marked by continuous reinvention. Mahashmashana, his sixth album, is the latest chapter in that evolution. The album speaks with a voice more intimate than Pure Comedy, but more expansive than God’s Favorite Customer. This album, co-produced by Tillman and Drew Erickson, invites listeners into an exploration of [...]
by Shannon Smith
James Bay’s journey from the youthful singer-songwriter who burst onto the scene in 2015 with Chaos and the Calm to his fourth studio album, Changes All the Time, reveals a subtle shift in his creative voice. This new album sees Bay lean further into his Americana influences while continuing to explore themes of self-reflection and resilience. The eleven-track offering shows his commitment to songwriting tradition while weaving in new voices lyrically and musically alongside producer Gabe Simon.
The album opens with “Up All Night,” a collaboration featuring The Lumineers and Noah Kahan. The song [...]
In the ever-evolving narrative of Lizzy McAlpine’s discography, Older offers a reflective and introspective body of work, distinct in its maturity and depth from her preceding albums, notably 2022’s five seconds flat. McAlpine, who has been on a clear upward trajectory since her debut, continues to push the singer/songwriter’s awareness of her artistry, delving into more personal and nuanced territories with Older. These fourteen songs, written over a three-year span marking McAlpine’s transition into adulthood, are a voyage through the complexities of growth, heartache, and self-discovery.
Older is built around raw emotion [...]
