Brand new album from Josh Jensen

Surrounded by the Pacific Northwest’s rugged beauty, Seattle-based artist Josh Jensen’s music is a heartfelt blend of folk and pop, built on meaningful storytelling and timeless quality. Drawing inspiration from artists like Leon Bridges, Lianne La Havas, Billy Strings and Chris Stapleton, his sound is both informed by tradition and filtered though a modern sonic lens.

His musical journey began over a decade ago with the release of his debut album, Unravel The Wire, in 2012. Even in these early recordings, his distinctive voice and songwriting hinted at the emotional impact that would come to define his work. However, following this strong introduction, he took an extended break from recording and performing, leaving fans wondering if he would return. That question was answered ten years later in 2022 with the release of Moon Time, his sophomore album which marked his emphatic comeback.

Building on that momentum, he’s released a string of new singles over the last couple of years and now brings us his latest release with his brand new third full-length record titled This Is Where We Landed, a profoundly personal and thoughtful album that explores themes of love, family, wandering and mortality, all shaped by his own experiences, including his wife’s battle with breast cancer. These real-life struggles and triumphs are threaded throughout nine original tracks, plus a remix and an alternate version of one of the songs.

Influenced by a broad range of sounds, from the rootsy warmth of The Band to the smooth soulfulness of Lianne La Havas, This Is Where We Landed fully embraces Americana stylings. The album’s delicate instrumentation involves contributions from an impressive lineup of musicians with ahorn section featuring Alex Capron and Evan Earhart, while Sunnie Larsen joins on violin, Matthew O’Toole lends his talents on mandolin and bass and Shauna Ward adds guitar and vocals to complement Josh’s own performances.

Recorded in 2024 at Luke Rain Studios in Seattle, the album was engineered and produced by Luke Rain, with the late-night studio sessions and collaborative energy of the recording process shining through in every track. Opened by “Birdhouse,” lively crowd noises are met with the playful plucks of mandolin before the arrangement tumbles into place with bright guitar chords and plodding bass notes capped by Josh’s rich vocal leads spinning upbeat melodic leads carrying picture painting lyricism above. Inspired by a poem that Jensen wrote during a sunrise two decades ago, the track flows with energising groove and stunning musicianship to offer the perfect showcase of Josh Jensen’s catchy songwriting and vocal performance panache.

“The Circus is in Town” slows things with a laid back shuffle, intricate brass textures and subdued vocal work, crafting a dusty aesthetic that’s memorable and unique in equal measure. With “Dusty Roads and Broken Dreams,” Josh takes cues from the classic “Long Black Veil” to deliver a bouncy Americana jam brimming with storytelling charm and intriguing murder mystery style lyrical writing.

Other highlights on the record include songs like “City Lights” with its blend of gliding guitar chords and clapped percussion setting up Josh’s impassioned vocals. Framing his sound in a stripped-back setting and with his voice engaging in a balletic dance with Shauna’s silky vocals, it’s an epic example of his timeless songwriting.

The final original outing on the album comes with “Hello, Hysteria,” the slick snap of a muted beat is met with a mellow blend of guitar, horns and bass as Josh’s expressive voice rings out above. Closing the record with a guitar only version of “Colorado” and a remix of “The Circus is in Town,” Josh presents two reimagined renditions of his songs to conclude his superb new album that delights and entertains from start to finish.

Listen to This Is Where We Landed below