INDIE POP/FOLK

ROME JOSH PYKE

Wonderlick/Sony

bbbbv

Listening to a Josh Pyke album is like sitting in a room with a good mate, sharing stories and reflections, and realising that you have more in common than you knew. His intricate storytelling has drawn us in since he emerged in 2005 with simple yet thoughtful guitar arrangements set atop understated lush sonic backdrops. The five-year wait since his previous album has been worth it. Rome is some of the Sydney singersongwriter’s best work yet, touching on the tough realities of life while managing to maintain a sense of optimism. Still We Carry On encapsulates the balance of harsh reality and hope that winds its way through the album. Crafting commentary on the human condition is something Pyke has always excelled at, and the themes of ageing, love, loss and doubt on Rome touch a nerve more than his previous releases. Perhaps it is that we are all getting more reflective as we age, and Pyke’s honest and authentic songwriting has tapped into that. Musically, the album sticks to Pyke’s roots and folk guitar rhythms dancing over ambient strings, with his voice and storytelling the sonic champion. This is a spectacular record from one of Australia’s most loved artists. It is honest, lush, and prompts self-reflection and appreciation for all that we have in life right now. In a time when we could all do with some hope and inspiration, Pyke is telling us that yes, times are tough, but as his lyrics in Doubting Thomas forecast: “Something good will come around again.”