"Stories Up High" VINYL

Eco-swirl (color varies) vinyl  – Second pressing

Stories Up High is a collection of dynamic and engrossing tunes; each chord change and mood shift is intentional, while simultaneously baring some unpredictable fangs. The album opener “Stories Up High” leads with a taste of Smile-era orchestration (timpani, glockenspiel, and a blanket of church organ) swiftly clearing the way for Jones’s big, warm, emotive timbre and a lone, echoey acoustic guitar. The backing rhythm section gradually sways further and further until the ballad is in full rapture, leaving the listener immersed in a soaring vibe and wondering just how they got there.

The songwriting here, like the band, is of rare stock. There is a natural composure – a timeless and nimble creativity that refuses to be precious or cover its freckles – giving the collective a living-breathing essence. Throughout the tracklist are infectious and upbeat crescendos (“Secret Weapon”), punchy pop-rock singalongs (“Not Alone”), dreamy and melancholic folk (“If Life Is”), and floating vintage patinas (“One Fine Morning”). The performances here evoke faded, old Hollywood glamour full of longing, but dig beneath the surface and you’ll find that Jones is an optimist at heart, a believer in the relentless beauty of this world.