Last year, Isaac Vallentin released "...", an understated, mostly solo acoustic folk gem brimming with big ideas. Since then, Vallentin has scaled up the band to fit his scope for forthcoming follow-up Juma.
Juma marks a return to the robust folk rock stylings of Vallentin's earlier albums, with a band including Michael Feuerstack, Owen Davies and members of Pony Girl, Blood and Glass, the Barr Brothers and Scattered Clouds. The album features a duet with Alexandra O'Manique, a.k.a. Jasmine Trails, who also painted the cover artwork.
As is standard practice for Vallentin, Juma comes alongside an essay written by the artist detailing his thoughts, feelings and circumstances surrounding the creation of the album, including his mental state as he wrote the songs (described as both a "spiritual awakening" and "psychotic episode"), the recording process, and the intricate logistics of Vallentin's move from Montreal to his current location of Pictou, NS.
Vallentin has also released opening track "Bright as the Moon," which introduces the album's twanging palette with dancing keys and swaying pedal steel. The song comes alongside a music video that finds Vallentin taking a leisurely walk by the water. Videos for the rest of the album's tracks will be released over the coming months.
Watch the video for "Bright as the Moon" below, and keep scrolling for more information on Juma.
Juma:
1. Bright as the Moon
2. Great Blue Heron
3. The Neighbourhood
4. Inflation
5. Thirsty/Predator
6. Magnetic
7. My Ikea Bedframe
8. The First Time
9. Climbing Mt. Juna
10. Back to You
11. Icarus
Juma is available for pre-order.
Juma marks a return to the robust folk rock stylings of Vallentin's earlier albums, with a band including Michael Feuerstack, Owen Davies and members of Pony Girl, Blood and Glass, the Barr Brothers and Scattered Clouds. The album features a duet with Alexandra O'Manique, a.k.a. Jasmine Trails, who also painted the cover artwork.
As is standard practice for Vallentin, Juma comes alongside an essay written by the artist detailing his thoughts, feelings and circumstances surrounding the creation of the album, including his mental state as he wrote the songs (described as both a "spiritual awakening" and "psychotic episode"), the recording process, and the intricate logistics of Vallentin's move from Montreal to his current location of Pictou, NS.
Vallentin has also released opening track "Bright as the Moon," which introduces the album's twanging palette with dancing keys and swaying pedal steel. The song comes alongside a music video that finds Vallentin taking a leisurely walk by the water. Videos for the rest of the album's tracks will be released over the coming months.
Watch the video for "Bright as the Moon" below, and keep scrolling for more information on Juma.
Juma:
1. Bright as the Moon
2. Great Blue Heron
3. The Neighbourhood
4. Inflation
5. Thirsty/Predator
6. Magnetic
7. My Ikea Bedframe
8. The First Time
9. Climbing Mt. Juna
10. Back to You
11. Icarus
Juma is available for pre-order.
