Joe Pug’s vocal timbre belies both his age and location; there’s something classically Southern here from this modern Maryland songwriter. Pug’s voice is smoky and emotive. His instrumental arrangements are seeped in the sound of the golden age of country.
The Diving Sun is Pug’s latest LP, though admittedly it feels more like an extended EP at eight songs and an approximate length of 24 minutes. He doesn’t waste time with needless intros, outros, or instrumental segues. These are lyrics songs, through and through.
The mix of piano, harmonica, and acoustic guitar provides a delicate underbelly for Pug’s pining lyrics and sharp delivery. It’s impressive how these songs largely manage to get by without drums—there’s enough rhythmic sensibility in place even without them. When they do appear, they add a nice bit of punch and supplement the piano groove.
If I had to describe this album in one word, it’d have to be “uncluttered.” Pug seems to briskly move through track after track as if he were on the run with no time to spare. And indeed, there is a bit of outlaw vibe, especially on the track of the same name. But in the midst of sin, there are hints of Gospel. At least musically, there’s a picture of fall and redemption—though much of the album is through a lens of pain and brokenness.
The one downside here is frankly sheer brevity—while there’s nothing that feels like wasted space, the mood on this album is rich, and there’s not much space to let it sink in a bit. “Ten Miles of Mercy” does feel like an appropriate closer, but even this song is less than three minutes long. Even a few more seconds of an instrumental outro would help ease things out. Pug’s approach is undeniably lyric-heavy, which I appreciate, but having a moment now and then to breathe would help a bit, especially when playing the album on loop.
All in all, this is a solid, perhaps unconventional, entry into the alt-country/Americana/what-have-you catalog. Pug takes a classic sound and gives it new life. There are no gimmicks here—he’s a straight-shooter who understands his craft well. If you’re looking for an acoustic-focused album with pensive lyrics and a timeless quality, this is for you. While some might compare Joe Pug to Bob Dylan, I find one major difference: I can actually make it through a full Joe Pug album.
0 Comments