JJ Grey and Mofro open their newest album “Ol’ Glory” with an upbeat, toe-tapping melody. As the instrumental introduction of first track “Everything is a Song” transitions into JJ Grey’s voice, a certain soulful passion rings, uncommon in today’s music. The song continues into the lyrics “So now, everywhere I look, I smile,” which put a positive spin on life.
This cheerful tone is contrasted with the following track “The Island” — albeit in background noise rather than lyrical presentation. The song finds a narrator reminiscing about home with the refrain “All beneath the canopy… forever in her beauty, this island is my home,” a theme which carries into the next track, “Every Minute.” It’s clear that JJ Grey and Mofro have a carpe diem mentality surging through their music.
JJ Grey and Mofro will often remind you of a new-age B.B. King with their instrumental composition as well as their old-school storytelling. The complexity and variation of the group’s musical talent is not only impressive but an absolute joy to listen to — no two songs on “Ol’ Glory” sound alike, creating a diversity which prevents the listener from getting bored or wanting to skip a track.
That being said, there are a few songs on the album which boast fairly long periods of predominantly lyricless sound some may not enjoy. However, the songs that exhibit this feature are few and far between and don’t detract much from the album’s highlights. Additionally, some may dislike the passages of shouting on the record — also present in a large deal of soul and gospel music. “Ol’ Glory” is still an excellent addition to the group’s expansive career, however, and will please long-term and newcomer fans alike.
JJ Grey and Mofro’s album will be released to the public on Feb. 24.
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