With a wholehearted blend of deep undisguised lyrics and sweetly emphatic vocals Justin Townes Earle has begun to prove he is the Neil Young of his generation. Earle’s uninhibited Americana melodies and phosphorescent way with words are guaranteed to seep through to the core of each listener, with his indie folk, and bluesy twang highlighting his old soul and knack for making music that harmoniously sets hearts on fire.
The incredibly sincere Justin Townes Earle faces his scarred past with adversity and finesse on his brilliant Absent Fathers.
Growing up in South Nashville, Tennessee as the son of country rock crooner Steve Earle, and with the legendary troubadour Townes Van Zandt as a godfather and unambiguous influence, Earle’s journey to become the singer-songwriter he is today was inevitable. Between constant touring, an array of rehab stints, new found sobriety, getting married, and the release of three albums, Earle signed to Vagrant Records in 2013 and has since released his two greatest records to date, companion LP’s Single Mothers and Absent Fathers.
Since the September 2014 release, Single Mothers has experienced well deserved success making it to #37 on the Rolling Stone’s 50 Best Albums Of 2012 list, which has since seen his fan base grow into one that is greatly zealous and unimaginably varied. And with his latest LP Absent Fathers having made itself available to the world on January 13 2015, it has become wildly clear that his father’s music has not a single thing on his!
Predominant track Farther From Me allows a glimpse into Earle’s life-long heartaches with mesmerising and unrefined vocals that get your mind thinking and emotions flowing whilst he croons about being “Haunted by the ghost of a child’s hopes”. As the contrasted tune continues with a Van Morrison style undertone Earle exclaims “I have suffered for your foolish heart and your desperate needs” and with that suggestive statement you will learn for yourself that this master of emotion, can definitely succeed in making you feel a thing or two.
Highly redolent to John Mayer’s 2013 release Paradise Valley, Why is an evocative track that unites nonchalant guitar playing and breezy beats, to create a calm ambience all whilst Earle’s juxtaposed lyrics and raspy voice ask “Why do you always think the worst of me, babe?”. This perfectly highlights Earle’s gift for intertwining relaxed melodies whilst creeping in exceedingly sincere lyrics, all of which gives each number a world of integrity.
With a total of ten completely multifaceted songs Absent Fathers brings forth ten distinct waves of passion and proves that Justin Townes Earle is undeniably one of the greatest songwriters 2015 has to offer. This entire LP could very well be the soundtrack to one’s life, or any indie film with the right amount of angst. A brilliant start to his new found clarity and an even greater start to the musical releases of the year.
Justin is touring Australia in April, check out his social pages for all the details.
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