ALBUM REVIEW: JOSH PYKE - ROME
Strap yourself in, folks! Your ears are henceforth about to be blessed by the first studio album in 5 years from Sydney’s own wonderfully talented Josh Pyke!!!
Speaking candidly, Josh has explained that the album was a journey of healing.
The title, ‘Rome’, comes from the expression “all roads lead to Rome” wherein; you can’t escape yourself. You can’t escape the reality that things are constantly moving forward, but most things fade. While all roads do lead to Rome, Rome is not as it once was.
It’s more a process of adapting and acknowledging that certain things can go wrong and we just need to get on with our lives.
Listening to the album, I felt that Josh had really gone on such a journey and this album deserved to be reviewed one by one. It’s a powerful album of healing.
This is an album that is focusing on the message, rather than the messenger. Sure, these songs are absolutely fabulous and works of art in their own right, but just listen to what Josh is saying, and I promise you will be better for it.
Having stepped away from the stage, Josh was able to really sit and listen to the work that he had been stockpiling. After 5 years, over 40 songs had been written. In the past Josh would write on tour and then head to a studio to produce it; sometimes simply coming home, pouring a whiskey and mucking around. With all this time on his hands, he was just able to pick through and reconnect with the music… Giving us ‘Rome’.
Without further ado, here is the album.
Old Times’ Sake
A beautifully simple, delicate song that borders on ethereal. It’s stripped bare, and Josh serenades us gently as he sings his first song of healing. I interpreted this as Josh moving on and trying to stop himself from lingering in the past. He wants to move forward, and the first step is to pick himself up and dust himself off. He knows that it’s going to be hard. But he will get there.
This song is so gentle on the ears and the heart. It speaks to me on a more personal level because I know myself that I have to stop hanging onto previous memories for ‘Old Times’ Sake’. It’s time to move on, guys.
Doubting Thomas
A little bit poppy, this one! A little bit faster in terms of pace, but still exposing a little bit more of Josh that we haven’t seen yet. I’m starting to believe that this is the truest self that Josh can be. He is really exposing himself and his thoughts and feelings to us. Another facet of healing, ‘Doubting Thomas’ is a little bit funkier and is so light and uplifting. Speaking of the track, Josh said it was referencing the fact that he is ‘making the music he wants to make’. Having had no time constraints, Josh was free to record and develop how he wanted to. This upbeat track is definitely an anthem for those who know there are better things to come.
I Thought We Were A River
I knew it was better to review the album song by song. Each of these tracks are like a solid ring around the planet that is self healing and discovery.
A fantastic rock, pop kind of tune that speaks to those going through something that changes you. The river is an allegory for a memory or experience in your life that changes you. He transitions from thinking he is a river to being the land that is shaped by said river. He’s taken what he can from a memory, and it has moulded and shaped him.
This brilliant display of Josh’s many musical talents is just evident that he has just enjoyed the creative process- he accomplished a lot of the instrumentals himself! This heartwarming, uplifting song is just another step up the ladder of self healing. Josh’s powerful serenading shines through the Indie Pop instrumentals and we are completely entranced.
Home
There is an immediate punch in the memory gut when you listen to this song. This is the song at the concert that everyone whips out their lighters or phone lights and waves them back and forth. It’s homely (sorry, not sorry) and is purely just one of those classic Josh Pyke melodies. It’s strong, it punches at the heartstrings and gets you thinking about your past life experiences.
It’s the song you play in the car on the way home. It’s the song you play on a rainy Sunday and dance around the kitchen with a stuffed teddy bear or, if you have responsibilities; a basket of washing. This song is so multifaceted. It’s strong, and still so different from every other track on this album. It’s just magic, really.
Still We Carry On
Circling back to that more acoustic sound that Josh Pyke is typically known for, this song starts to lean towards the folky, indie style that we don’t usually know, but enjoy when we hear it.
This song is definitely trying to dissect that whole ‘Rome’ analogy that we discussed before. Life is not a circle, it’s not a line. Shit happens, but still we carry on. We pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off and we carry on.
Don’t Let it Wait
These songs feel like pieces of a puzzle, honestly.
We receive delicate acoustic, and I get those warm and fuzzies again. This beautiful, folk-like ballad is just so raw and basic, but in the best way possible. It’s lovely to hear a little bit of a narrative in this one; I feel like Josh is trying to explain that you don’t always have to have good moments- there’s no point to holding onto bad memories, let them go and allow new ones to come in. This song is so strong in it’s own right, I really enjoy how the music starts out very slow, and then gentle percussion slowly comes in to build to a very stripped back bridge. It’s that type of song that lovers will dance to on their wedding night.
The Closing Eye
Ah, that crooning! This is a really wonderful track- and I know that I have said that about pretty much every single song thus far, but I really am so blown away by the intricacy of each song and how they all blend together but are so different.
The groovy guitar chords that we expect from Josh shine through this song, and it definitely sounds like he is his own backing singer- multi talented much? This track bridges towards the flowy, indie- folk side of music; it’s got these layers of sound that weave together and provide a really solid flow.
You’re My Colour
Another really gentle track, this one just tugs at heartstrings. It’s a song about connection; just that deep love that intertwines us to our significant others, the longing that we feel. Josh’s impressive fingerstyle shines through on this track- just a delicate little intro with very sweet, hearty vocals. I enjoy this kind of music- it’s so soft and lovely and it honestly lifts me up. This leans into being a little more folky rather than that indie style we would expect, but I think most will love this song all the same.
I Don’t Know
Hello, fingerstyle, nice to hear you again! Some spine tingling strings feature in this track, and it elevates the song and the vocals to a really special place. I wish I could have seen how Josh coordinated extra artists while creating this album- did they all fit into his apartment?
This whole album has really been a musical journey and that’s why I enjoy them all so much. Each song really stands out on it’s own, but continues the instrumental journey through to the next song and it all changes. This song is so powerful in the way it washes through you. Josh- if you ever read this are you going to press these into vinyl because I would kill to have one!
Old Songs Now
What did I tell you? Those incredible strings shine through and I honestly love the way this song transitions from sole strings to an introduction of acoustic guitar- completely seamless! Each addition of an instrument is completely flawless. Strings, guitar, percussion- it all comes together for a lovely indie track. This one reminds me of how voices make us feel. They tug at memories and make us wonder about how certain sounds trigger memories of the past. Do we need to heal from those memories? How do we do that, anyway?
Where Goes The Girl
She's a little long, this one, clocking in at just over 6 minutes. A gentle start and a little orchestral moment pulls this song together in a neat little bow, and is the perfect end to the album. That familiar fingerstyle comes through and really meshes well with the strings. The song is super ethereal and soothing. An extended outro and a gentle concludes this musical journey that has definitely deepened my love for acoustic guitar and a husky voice.
This album was absolutely stunning. I adored each track individually and as part of a larger picture- It was gentle, soothing and a little folk-like. I enjoyed every second of it and I can say this is one of my favourite albums of the whole year. It’s different from the pop, rock and general indie that we have all come to hear and enjoy. I really felt compelled to listen to it over and over and was able to heal a little of myself through this music. We are all going through a tough time right now. For me, this album made it just that little bit better.
