4/5 stars
Fans of Joe Pug will know that during the last leg of his continuous four-year tour, the travelling troubadour cancelled his remaining shows, packed up his bags and went off to find inspiration away from music, which by that point had drained him of any enthusiasm for the craft.
Pug’s third album Windfall is the product of this soul-searching and rejuvenation.His trademark musings on suffering, loss and struggle are still present, but there’s an overwhelming sense of optimism and willingness to persevere despite the odds.
The runaway track is undoubtedly ‘Great Hosannas’ which opens with jangly piano keys playing over the deep thrum of an upright bass. Pug’s talent for storytelling makes this a very moving song, full of cascading lyrics and vivid imagery.
Windfall is a multilayered album that demonstrates Pug’s talent and ability to convincingly expand into new genres while retaining the elements of his music that fans have come to love. The stories he weaves are richer, not only in terms of lyrics but instrumentally; there’s a warmth and maturity that he’s managed to master with this album that wasn’t present in his other work.
It’s safe to say that we can expect great things to come from Joe Pug.
Windfallis out now through Joe Pug Music and iTunes.
