Going Places
Yep Roc, 2022
8/10
The esteemed singer-songwriter Josh Rouse penned this new album while laying low in Spain with his family during Covid. With his Spanish band in tow, these 10 tracks were fleshed out at a small local venue and revolve around guitar melodies, where organs, brass, backing vocals and horns aren’t in short supply, either.
“Apple Of My Eye” opens the listen with warm keys and Rouse’s smooth vocals across the warm indie-folk that embraces brass, too, and “City Dog” follows with spirited guitar work and crisp drumming as a breezy Americana unfolds.
“Waiting On The Blue” occupies the middle spot, and moves a bit quicker with a fluid folk-rock appeal, while “There’s Somebody Whose Job It Is”, the best track present, gets a bit rugged, but not without plenty of cozy melodies.
Near to the end, “Indian Summer” is a very intimate and eloquent display of poetic singing, calm guitar and soulful harmonica, and “Stick Around” exits the listen with some nostalgic grooves to accompany the soft singing, gentle horns and agile guitar.
A very mature and charming listen, whether you’ve been listening all along or this is your first time, Rouse makes quite an impression with his country, folk, indie, Americana formula that’s as timeless as it is accomplished.
Travels well with: Grant-Lee Phillips- All That You Can Dream; Jesse Malin- Outsiders