Post Description

Folk, singer-songwriter.

Sarah Jarosz’s “Jealous Moon” became an easy obsession for me. I’ve always admired her solo albums, her work with I’m With Her, and her outstanding overall musicianship, but this new album teaser, released just before AmericanaFest last September, is a true kick-your-teeth-in rock song – in fact, one of my favorite AFest memories is speed-Lyfting across town on the final night of the festival and entering The Basement East just in time to hear the opening of THAT SONG. Turns out, the first single was a tablesetter for a new musical (and life) approach for Jarosz – a move from New York to Nashville for the native Texan, chasing bigger sounds, and embracing more collaboration in songwriting (including big names like Natalie Hemby and Ruston Kelly). The result, Polaroid Lovers, establishes a new benchmark for Jarosz, both in her career and her craftsmanship.

“Jealous Moon” began its life as a porch-written, ukulele-and-acoustic strummer, but when co-writer and producer Daniel Tashian got the song into the studio and added a “Clocks”-like piano riff, the rock was on. Jarosz sings of life’s shifting priorities – “Standing out in a summer lawn/Queen bee buzzing ‘round my right arm/Wonder how she keeps her kingdom spinning” – while also acknowledging the sacrifices made while growing up and moving on – “Baby I don’t know why/I flew away too soon.” The tune climaxes – amid the electric guitars – in a fierce acoustic solo from Jarosz, reminding us that, even with a newer sound, everything in a Sarah Jarosz song rides on her virtuosic fingers.

The end of “Jealous Moon” represents, as it trails off, another key facet of Polaroid Lovers – musical room to breathe. Jarosz can play just about anything that has strings on it, but she also has a studio full of great musicians, and she’s not about to let them go to waste by arbitrarily insisting on 3½ minute songs. “Take The High Road ” (also written with Tashian) includes a cool intro bass line from Jeff Picker and lingers on Jarosz’s acoustic guitar and excellent pedal steel from Justin Schipper before this tune, inspired by Colorado’s Sawatch Mountain Range, wraps. The contemplative “Don’t Break Down on Me” (written with Jon Randall) features Jarosz’s prettiest solo on the record (her vocals on Polaroid Lovers, too, may be the best of her seven-album career). And “Mezcal and Lime” (also Tashian) switches up the country for an ocean vibe, with 80s-ish keys coalescing with pedal steel to create something moody and just a little salty.

The songs, though, are what make Polaroid Lovers a life-changer for Jarosz – co-writing suits her (and, a note to Music Row – two writers on a song is plenty – no need for four or five). “When The Lights Go Out” (penned with Randall and Sampson, and another ear-grabber at her AmericanFest showcase) looks at the first blush of something that’s not yet love – “How’d you go from a face in the crowd/To all I’m thinking about” – but may well end up there. The melancholy “Columbus & 89th” (Tashian) bids a belated goodbye to Jarosz’s Upper West Side home – “Staying out with you ‘til sunrise hit the Hudson/Without a thought for what had passed and what was comin’/Back then, I never thought I’d leave” – with another gorgeous coda. And “Runaway Train” (penned with Randall) represents what Jarosz has wanted to write for a long time – a fun, Petty-ish country rocker that’s about something as uncomplicated and unguarded as the first days of a mutually-indulged crush – “Saying all the things that we shouldn’t say/But I gotta say.” It’s a caution-to-the-wind moment on a record full of life-changing decisions, and it’s where Jarosz finds herself right now – the big choices have been made; now it’s time to enjoy the ride.

Tracks:
01. Jealous Moon
02. When The Lights Go Out
03. Runaway Train
04. The Way It Is Now
05. Dying Ember
06. Columbus & 89th
07. Take The High Road
08. Don’t Break Down On Me
09. Days Can Turn Around
10. Good At What I Do
11. Mezcal And Lime

Staat er compleet op, 10% pars mee gepost. Met zeer veel dank aan de originele poster. Laat af en toe eens weten wat je van het album vindt. Altijd leuk, de mening van anderen. Oh ja, MP3 doe ik niet aan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTRNQfESd0k