Music review: Jack Johnson – 鈥楳eet the Moonlight鈥�
With summer in full swing, now is the perfect time to soak in the soothing sounds of Jack Johnson.
The Hawaiian singer-songwriter鈥檚 first new studio release in five years features 10 breezy tracks that help to slow down the frantic pace of a complicated world.
The title track sets the laid-back tone with Johnson describing the comfort of relaxing under the stars on a warm evening and absorbing the sheer beauty nature has to offer.
The nighttime is certainly the right time as Johnson declares, 鈥淵ou can meet the moonlight any night you really wanna/It鈥檚 waiting in your own backyard/You can make the flame meet the kindling, make the fire/Don鈥檛 let anybody say it鈥檚 too hard.鈥�
The album opener, 鈥淥pen Mind,鈥� finds Johnson trying to clear his head of the negative clutter that slowly accumulates over time as he proclaims, 鈥淥pen up the windows, there鈥檚 a storm inside.鈥�
鈥�3AM Radio鈥� focuses on a tranquil drive listening to late-night radio that assists in clearing the mind and erasing the worries that weigh heavy on the heart.
The island feel of 鈥淐alm Down鈥� is an open invitation to breathe deep and simply enjoy quality time in the company of true friends.
鈥淲indblown Eyes鈥� is a tender testament about finding the right spot to call home after constant traveling has made it difficult to see the proper path with Johnson calmly announcing, 鈥淭he anchor has been tested/I guess we鈥檒l stay put for a while.鈥�
The set closes with a gentle confessional about losing direction and missing someone special on 鈥淎ny Wonder.鈥� As the days quietly pass, the memories of love stay top of mind as Johnson sings, 鈥淪hadows come and go/We can鈥檛 hold on to now/It鈥檚 so hard to let go.鈥�
Johnson鈥檚 latest effort serves as a welcome reminder about the importance of appreciating the outer beauty provided by nature and the inner beauty we all possess.
With Johnson setting the direction, there is indeed something magical about finding comfort under the moonlight.