Nation of Two

I was eagerly anticipating this release, having loved Vance Joy's previous album (Dream Your Life Away) and it was definitely worth the wait. The main thing that jumped out at me upon listening to the first track ("Call If You Need Me") is how much Vance's vocal abilities have matured. All but gone is the endearingly nervous vocal shakiness present all over nearly every track of his first album, replaced instead by the confidence that comes with experience. Though I did enjoy his voice on the first album, this is a welcome change, and lends weight to the overall subject matter of this release, which, as the title and cover art indicate, is about the various tangled webs that come with romantic relationships.Though his distinctive voice has definitely matured and most of the album seems to be sung in a slightly lower register than was displayed on Dream Your Life Away, Vance still frequently hits the high notes we all know and love, and nowhere is this more in evidence than on the fourth single, "Saturday Sun", a thoroughly enjoyable and upbeat tune about the buoyant excitement of a new relationship. His strongest vocals, however, come on the very next track, "Take Your Time", which starts softly-sweet, with the lyrics, "There's an ocean in my head // waves that don't ever rest // this kind of beauty ain't ordinary // you look but do you really see? // won't you take your time on me?" The song slowly builds with each new verse, finally reaching a crescendo with the repeated line, "And you know my heart // well, it's waiting for your call" -- Vance's voice feels strongest here, pleading while knowing the answer, particularly on the very last note of the last 'call', and I found myself hitting repeat on this one several times.There's really only one properly slow ballad -- "I'm With You", a passionate and plaintive promise of undying love, just Vance's voice accompanied by acoustic guitar and a bit of pretty synth in the background. All the rest of the songs are upbeat to some degree, and feature the wonderful drum and percussion work of the talented Edwin White (who also performed all the drumming on Dream Your Life Away). "Alone With Me" is also a bit of a slower, more romantic effort, with a beautiful string arrangement."One of These Days" is just an excellent track, an uplifting foot-stomper about letting go and letting love in, and it's very nearly my favorite track on the album, though I also have a soft spot for "We're Going Home", which features one of my favorite lyrics on the album ("When I see your light shine // I know I'm home") and features a triumphant brass arrangement which really comes to prominence during the chorus, and especially toward the track's fantastic finale.There are many more gems on this album, but I'll leave you the pleasure of finding them for yourself. The CD version includes all of the lyrics in the booklet, for any of you out there like me who still buy CDs. Bottom line? This album is excellent. Buy it. You won't regret it. :)

Just love this album. So many great songs. He's got a nice sound that soothes the soul.

One of the better albums I’ve listened to. I loved his first one so much, and while I don’t think this one has as many big hits as the first one, it is a more overall solid album. Saturday Sun, Lay it on Me, We’re going home, are my favorites.

A MALE-COUNTERPART TO JUDY COLLINS. BEAUTIFUL AND GORGEOUS. I HOPE HE NEVER CHANGES HIS STYLE FOR THE GREED OF "MONEY"!!! WHOEVER GET'S HIM WILL BE A LUCKY-LADY!!!

Fantastic CD! Not sure how I missed Vance for the last couple of years, but I’m enjoying getting up to speed finally and having this new album. Good quality product, no complaints.

Love Vance Joy. But the CD case came with a broken hinge so that now every time I open it the case falls apart. Would be 5 stars otherwise.

Great album top to bottom. Better than his first. CD case was cracked and opened when I got it. Not good, Amazon.

Original songs, catchy tunes

Listening to this album on repeat on my drives to and from work! Has a similar vibe to his last album. Does not disappoint.

全曲良かった

Great find.

前のアルバムより更にいい。とりわけ斬新なサウンドとかでもないのに、ぐいっと引き寄せられ耳に流れ込む音の気持ち良さ。メロディラインも、彼の声も多分、神経を緩ませるいろんな要素が溶け合ってるんだろうと思う。特に音楽に造詣が深いわけでもないので、分析できませんが。

I love the whole CD.