Jef Joslin - No More (You're Not Alone) (From new album "30")

Purchase Jef Joslin's new album "30" here (external site)

I've long been a fan of Jef Joslin. His last album, Come Out West, was full of sunshine melodies, enriching lyrics and resonant instrumentation that has reverberated around my speakers and headphones with a mellifluous joy. His creations come from the heart and feel like an organic representation of his inner most thoughts and feelings, wrapped up in a natural instrumentation that feels easily at home in the studio or a live setting. His latest album, 30, is equally as delightful. Thirteen (certainly not an unlucky number here) tracks that infuse your life with uplifting sentiments and insightful moments of reflections; tracks that will unlock memories from your past as well as be the soundtrack for many glorious memories to come. The songs are all written and produced by Jef (with Tyler Shamy joining to co-write the exhilarating track, Sunshine) and it's clear that it's a labour of love to produce this music that is so obviously his absolute passion. Take the track Sunshine - it's an exuberant, finger-clicking slice of euphoric pop that the likes of Michael Buble would sell all their perfectly tailored suits to record; a song so edifying that it will wash the winter blues away and give your life the happiness and optimism it deserves. I dare you not to be singing "I'm made of sunshine" and apply that philosophy to your daily activities after just one listen. It's so infectious that it should be the go to cure for all that ails you. At the other end of the spectrum, you have Hey Bill - an exquisitely crafted ode to the recent woes of Bill Cosby. It's just Jef's melancholy vocal and a beautiful guitar riff that really helps to underscore the pathos and sadness that wraps itself around the lyrics. Feather Rose takes us back to a more sanguine setting as Jef details all his hopes, feelings and wishes for his unborn child - something any prospective and now parent will relate to (all presented with such tenderness that it's wonderfully endearing; my mum commented "how parents have lived without this song in their lives is beyond me")... Final track, Sail On Skipper, really shows that the album takes you through a gamut of emotions and is a lovely, languorous affair to close proceedings on.

It's the opening track that I really want to focus on as something that really hit home. Song number one on any album is crucially important. It sets the tone for what is to follow and needs to make an impact to hook the listener on from the first note. No More (You're Not Alone) is a song that is a much needed helping hand to any one who has been bullied or been persecuted in this life. Jef notes on his soundcloud page that it is a song that rings true for all the atrocities that have happened across the world recently in the name of religion. What works so well about this song is that the music and words coalesce together to become a rallying call to arms for the oppressed. It's sprightly, upbeat and uplifting; all while giving those who need it the most the power to carry on - and most importantly a sense that there are people in the world that care and who want to embrace you for who you are. The buoyant hook combined with Jef's effusive vocal style mean that this is part song, part public service announcement (that really should be blasted in the governor of North Carolina's office on a loop). It's like an aural hug that envelops you just when you need it the most. Not just a stunning start to a brilliant album, but a sensational song in it's own right. I'm already envisioning a viral video with Jef singing the song on his own, walking along the beautiful beaches of California, only to be joined by masses of people who subscribe to the message he brings. Bravo Jef Joslin, you've put a smile on my face and a song in my heart. Magnificent.