Josh Pyke continues to be a mainstay for Australian singer-songwriters and he returns with his fourth release The Beginning And The End Of Everything.
Pyke has always been a great lyricist and his efforts with his fourth release continue that trend. Here he produces an upbeat folk-pop sound while continuing to improve his trade as a brilliant wordsmith.
Thematically the album is incredibly heartfelt as it focuses on matured love, parenthood and legacy. ‘Leeward Slide’ boasts a grinding harmonica, a sign of musical growth, and sets a good example of his matured love as he sings, ‘I wanna be someone worthy of a conversation.’
Beautiful closer ‘Stories That Get Told’ features Pyke singing about his young family and the future, singing ‘someday we’ll all be stories’
The album features its collection of romantic ballads like eponymous track and upbeat folk numbers like ‘Feet Of Clay’ that manage to remain tied up in a pop package. The usual contributions of acoustic guitar, constant percussion rhythms and poppy keys are all here.
Signs of growth include the use of a harmonica and banjo in tracks ‘Leeward Slide’ and ‘Order Had Abandoned Us.’ The most striking instrument though, as always, is his mystical layered voice that treats every lyric and harmony like a precious jewel.
‘Bug Eyed Beauty’ features that layered raw voice underneath intricate imagery contained in the lyrics. ‘All The Very Best Of Us’ is a highlight features a stirring duet between Pyke and fellow folkie Holly Throsby.
There are slight growing pains here but Josh Pyke continues to impress with his fourth release.
