Chateau Ladeau
Adhyâropa, 2025
9/10
The multi-instrumentalist, producer, and songwriter Jon LaDeau breeds his own kind of Americana, and he’s got some excellent help for these 8 nostalgic and well crafted tracks.
“Cactus Tree Boogies” opens the listen with warm acoustic guitar via LaDeau’s agile fingers and timeless vision, and “Take Me Away” follows with a fuller appeal, where double tracked vocals, strummed and plucked guitar and lo-fi tendencies might bring to mind Elliott Smith.
In the middle, synthetic drumming is present across “East Tennessee Wrecker”, where rhythm is in attendance amid Emily Jackson’s vocals, while “This Town” then welcomes crisp drumming and buzzing guitars for the louder folk-rock that is so well done, it alone is worth the price of admission.
“Heartworks” and “Memory In Mind” finish out the record. The former is indeed heartfelt, where David Butler’s meticulous drumming and Steve Okonski’s well timed organ complements the emotive singing, and the latter tips its hat to Roy Orbison thanks to the cautious and powerful exit.
A truly exceptional record that borrows from folk, rock, blues and country, LaDeau’s songs might draw parallels to Tom Petty or The Traveling Wilburys, but they reside in a space entirely his own, and anyone willing to listen with certainly find much to enjoy here.
Travels well with: Tal Yahalom- Mirror Image; Eli Greenhoe & Hans Bilger- Orchids