Pathways
Howling Turtle, 2024
9/10
The Canadian singer-songwriter Julian Taylor brings us 8 new tracks of his timeless version of Americana, where the wordplay is just as well thought out as the musicianship.
“Weighing Down” opens the listen with much intimacy, where the soulful singing is met with warm guitar and strong attention to mood, and “Love Letters” follows with a folk friendly appeal of vivid storytelling.
At the halfway point, “Pathways” welcomes Allison Russell’s gorgeous voice to the soft drums and dreamy guitar, while “Running Away” is a frisky, blues fueled moment that’s destined for the dance floor via its infectious energy.
“Ain’t Life Strange” and “Into The Waves” exit the listen. The former is a stylish and mysterious album highlight that spotlights meticulous guitar amid a late night feeling, and the latter finishes with a poetic, bare delivery of sublime beauty.
Taylor sums up this album in 3 words: righteousness, acceptance and enlightenment. Even though the songs often surround burdens, the mood is soothing, wise and optimistic about life’s path and it certainly does further support why Taylor’s seen multiple Juno Award nominations.
Travels well with: Mike Evin- Something Stirs When You Sing; Ian North- Everything Is Incomplete