Octopus
Cooking Vinyl, 2025
9/10
The folk singer-songwriter Newton Faulkner returns with an 8th studio album, where the veteran artist continues his new phase of songwriting with plenty of openness and collaboration present.
“Alright, Alright, Alright” leads with frisky drumming and animated guitars via the lively rock spirit that welcomes the Bloom Twins to the busy climate, and “What Took You So Long” follows with plenty of playfulness and electronic bouts in the buzzing delivery.
Further along, “Honest To God” finds itself in calm territory that’s forthright and heartfelt and builds into a powerful moment, while “Don’t Make Me Beg” escalates into dense and cathartic bouts before retreating to calm.
Deeper still, “Hunting Season” enlists Lissie and Los Bitchos for the rhythmic album highlight, and “Gratitude” exits with harmonizing vocals amid the a cappella beauty.
Now two decades into an esteemed career, Faulkner continues to reinvent himself, where is inimitable brand of folk-rock just keeps on getting more interesting.
Travels well with: Melody Fields- 1991; Devarrow- Heart Shaped Rock