Carl Sandburg Visits Me In A Dream

I’ve always had an affinity for Swedish – Argentinian musicians. By that, I mean I’ve always had an affinity for Jose Gonzalez, the soft-spoken Swedish – Argentinian who has been releasing his sleepy folk sing-a-longs for a few years now. His debut release Veneer was met with critical and popular praise across the globe, for his knack for acoustic rhythms, unique vocals, and his timely songwriting. Not to mention his collaboration with Zero 7 on Futures or his various side projects (see Junip), Gonzalez has consistently put forth thought-provoking, intriguing folk arrangements that bedazzle the listener with its deceivingly simple guitar hooks and infectious vocals.

And Gonzalez’s 10-track long player In Our Nature is no different in that sense. His sophomore release (if you don’t count the Stay in the Shade – EP) certainly has a less lo-fi sound to it, but the intimacy of the record is more pronounced than ever. Gonzalez seems to be whispering the Southern twangy “Abram”, accompanied by his patient, insistent questioning in the slightly more melodic “How Low”. But as masterful as Gonzalez has become at portraying darkness in this world, he is perhaps just as talented at highlighting the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. “Time to Send Someone Away” (originally recorded with Embee) is as cheerful as any song he’s written, while “Killing for Love” is the high-charged lead track that rhetorically proposes, “Will you let [your heart] burn for hate or compassion?” In the end, it seems that Gonzalez’s heart burns for compassion. After all, it’s in his nature.

Buy In Our Nature. Now!

Listen to “Killing For Love” (4.8/5)

Listen to “Time To Send Someone Away” (4.8/5)