Josh Rouse
Subtitulo
Rykodisc

I first came to the music of Josh Rouse six years ago through his second album, 'Home' and immediately I was hooked. Four albums later and I'm no less amazed by his ability to blend his wistful voice with great songs and delicious melodies.

After the career highlight of his last album 'Nashville' saw his contract end with Ryko records, Rouse skipped town, left his band behind and started a new life on the south coast of Spain. The rumours Rouse had left music behind have been silenced with this, the singer-songwriter's sixth solo album and the first release on Rouse's own label, Bedroom Classics.

'Subtitulo' has much of the same blend of quiet charm, melancholy and sparkle as his last albums, but this is sparser, leaner and more delicate. Of the new songs only instrumental La Costa Blanca maintains the soul-blues band sound of 'Nashville' and '1972'. The rest is raw acoustic brilliance, often reduced to just Rouse and an acoustic guitar. Jersey Clowns is among the most beautiful; the skeletal arrangement perfectly captures the sadness in the story.

In contrast are Quiet Town and Summertime, two celebrations of good times and relaxation, and clear clues Rouse has had a lot of sunshine and cheer in his life of late. His Majesty Rides is a jaunty piece of acoustic funk and El Otro Lado is as good an album closer as Rouse has ever done.

Whatever has caused this Spanish sea change, it's definitely infused Rouse's music with vitality and energy. Last year's 'Nashville' was by far his best album upon its release, but it has just been trumped. 'Subtitulo' is clearly Josh Rouse's best yet. Does this mean the man just keeps getting better? I guess it does.

Steven Hocking