Dig Deep
Self-Released, 2024
8/10
The Nashville singer-songwriter Joseph Shipp returns with a sophomore album of his sincere and thoughtful Americana, where layers and rhythm are in attendance.
“Heavy Cold” opens the listen with much attention to mood, where soft acoustic guitar and cozy singing tugs on the heartstrings, and “Open Up (To Me)” follows with folk ideas amid the fluid strumming and crisp drumming.
Halfway through, “Phantasy” is full of dreaminess via the waves of vulnerable beauty that might bring to mind Elliott Smith, while the title track is bare, pretty and radiates introspection.
Closer to the end, “Blanket” is a bit darker in scope, and mesmerizes us with its ambience, and “Half Moon Eyes” exits with a rich, textured album highlight that flirts with psychedelic moments and even a gentler alt-rock spirit.
A very diverse outing that explores both light and dark songwriting. Shipp’s alt-folk and atypical Americana vision makes for another exceptional album.
Travels well with: Joseph Shipp- Free, For A While; Oberon Rose- Holographic Blues