Singer-songwriter Josh Rouse just released his 14th studio album in the last 25 years. I’ve been following his career since 2005’s Nashville, still one of my favorite albums ever, and he has yet to disappoint.
Rouse’s new album is called Going Places, and it’s a return to the sweet soft rock that most typifies his style. It follows 2018’s Love in the Modern Age, a delightful detour into 80s synth-pop, and a 2019 Christmas album (cute, but proof that we don’t need new Christmas songs, even from our best songwriters).
Going Placesis another great collection of hummable songs with relatable lyrics and melodies that stick in your head for hours. I’ve always thought of Rouse as an heir to 70s Paul Simon, and the album fits nicely in that mold.
Written in Spain during the pandemic, this is a relaxed and contemplative collection, the perfect soundtrack for a lazy Sunday morning or a six-month lockdown.
Somewhere on a magical night
No one’s fakin’, hearts aren’t breakin’, and
I wanna go outside
Please just take me from this place
[Pre-Chorus]
There were days on days
Had to get away from here
I’m trying to start again
It’s just a blur to me now
[Chorus]
Loneliness brings me to midnight
Under this hollow moon
I tell myself I’m alright
I’ll figure out what to do
[Post-Chorus]
Hollow moon
Hollow moon
[Verse 2]
Surfin’ through the atmosphere
Worlds are shakin’, chances taken, and
I’ve been confined in here
What will happen? I don’t know
[Pre-Chorus]
It’s just days on days
Gotta get away from here
I’m dying to start again
It’s just too hard for me now
[Chorus]
Loneliness brings me to midnight
Under this hollow moon
I tell myself I’m alright
I’ll figure out what to do
[Post-Chorus]
Hollow moon
Hollow moon
[Instrumental Interlude]
[Chorus 2]
Loneliness brings me to midnight
Under this hollow moon
I couldn’t even speak right
Under this hollow moon
Loneliness brought me to her side
Under that hollow moon
I tell myself I’m alright
I just don’t know what to do
I just don’t know what to do
[Outro]
Hollow moon
Hollow moon
Meet Me In Montauk 
I’m glad you have another solid album from one of your favorite artists.