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Phosphorescent Ditches Folk for Country Rock
2 Oct
Summary
- Matthew Houck's latest album leans into country rock.
- The album features collaborators and a new sound.
- Lyrics explore relationship strains from life on the road.
Phosphorescent, led by Matthew Houck, has transitioned from its earlier wilderness folk sound to embrace country music more fully. This shift was foreshadowed by the 2009 release of "To Willie," an album dedicated to covering Willie Nelson's songs.
Their latest effort, "Here's to Taking It Easy," marks a departure with a conventional sound accompanied by a full recording band. Houck and his collaborators inhabit country-rock themes with energy and skill, balancing newfound fullness with the band's characteristic lonesomeness.
The album's lyrical content often delves into the strain relationships endure due to extensive touring. Songs like "Tell Me Baby (Have You Had Enough)" and "Heaven, Sittin' Down" touch upon the weariness and complexities of life on the road, with "The Mermaid Parade" offering a particularly poignant exploration of heartbreak.
Despite the stylistic evolution, "Here's to Taking It Easy" still features tracks like "Nothing Was Stolen (Love Me Foolishly)" and "Hej, Me I'm Light" that showcase Houck's spectral and more elliptical songwriting. The record is considered strong, though it suggests Houck's potential for an even deeper fusion of tradition and his unique artistic voice.
