Review
In "Passage du Desir," Johnny Blue Skies, the enigmatic alter ego of Sturgill Simpson, takes us on a psychedelic journey through the cosmos of country music. Released on July 12, 2024, this album sees Simpson abandoning his familiar R&B horns and Bakersfield twang to embrace a wilder frontier of percolating percussion, cosmic string arrangements, and electrifying bluesy guitars. Here, Simpson's artistry shines as he dances between earthy authenticity and otherworldly escapades, disrupting both mainstream and outlaw country expectations with ease and elegance.
Thematically, the album delves into profound explorations of alienation, mortality, and dreams of escape. Tracks like "Swamp of Sadness" and "Scooter Blues" invite listeners to walk in uneasy shoes, grappling with identity and the intrusive specter of fame. "Jupiter's Faerie" emerges as a heartfelt ode to a dear departed friend, enveloped in cosmic tones, while "One for the Road" heartbreakingly encapsulates desolation with striking guitar prowess.
Simpson's lyrical genius in "Passage du Desir" slices through the underworld of the soul with finesse, merging variegated influences into a seamless collection of sounds that dares to innovate while remaining inviting. He has crafted an odyssey that defies the rigid ties of genre, embodying a spirit eager to explore uncharted realms and showcase his boundless imaginative freedom. - Margo
