There’s something undeniably powerful about music that emerges from life’s rawest moments. Josh Jensen’s latest album, This Is Where We Landed, is more than just a collection of songs, it’s an intimate reflection of resilience, love, and the road we walk through hardships. With a rich blend of Americana, folk, and soulful instrumentation, Jensen crafts an album that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.
The album kicks off with “Birdhouse,” a track that immediately sets the emotional tone. Inspired by a poem Jensen wrote in 2005, the song soars with intricate mandolin work from Matthew O’Toole and a vibrant horn section led by Alex Capron and Evan Earhart. The lyrics, which speak of rebuilding and finding solace in the familiar, resonate deeply, making for an uplifting introduction.
“The Circus is in Town” follows with a bold mix of storytelling and social commentary. Jensen’s ability to weave compelling narratives through music is on full display here. Capron’s saxophone adds a layer of theatricality, turning the song into a lively yet poignant critique of the spectacles that surround us in modern society.
A true standout on the album is “Dusty Roads and Broken Dreams.” This track, with Sunnie Larsen’s evocative violin work, is a haunting take on the classic American murder ballad. Inspired by The Band’s “Lost in the sound,” Jensen creates a world of lost love and betrayal, evoking a cinematic quality that makes the listener feel as if they are witnessing the story unfold firsthand.
Behind the scenes, producer and engineer Luke Rain has worked magic. His meticulous recording approach layering multiple takes and carefully piecing together the best elements brings a polished yet organic feel to the album. The production allows every instrument to shine without overpowering Jensen’s heartfelt vocals and poignant lyricism.
While echoes of The Band, Gillian Welch, Jonah Smith, and Lianne La Havas can be heard throughout the album, Jensen never feels like he is simply replicating his influences. Instead, he takes these inspirations and molds them into something uniquely his own. The result is a sound that feels both familiar and refreshingly original.
The album closes on a note of quiet introspection. By the time the final track fades out, the listener is left with a sense of having traveled through Jensen’s world feeling his losses, triumphs, and lessons learned along the way. Few albums manage to balance raw vulnerability with expert musicianship so seamlessly, but This Is Where We Landed does just that.
Josh Jensen has delivered an album that speaks to the soul. Whether you’ve walked similar paths of love and loss or are simply looking for music that moves you, This Is Where We Landed is an album worth sitting with, feeling, and returning to time and time again. For those eager to embark on this musical journey, the album is available on all Digital platforms. Don’t just listen, experience it.
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Bandcamp: https://joshuajensen.bandcamp.com/