Elijah Aaron has branched out from his roots in the St. Louis folk mainstay The Northwoods to release his debut solo record The Gift of Every Word. Whereas the Northwoods were known for their upbeat brand of Americana, Aaron has opted for a slower, more mature sound here. Songs like “For When I Leave” highlight his ability to walk between a somber malaise that reminds you of the harsh realities of life and an optimistic buoyancy that convinces you otherwise. His vocals pair nicely with backup singer Morgan Anderson as the two recite a haunting chorus.

 

The album’s opener “A Hundred Years” has the feel of a road trip’s soundtrack. You can almost feel the miles of pavement passing smoothly beneath sheet metal floorboards as Aaron’s steady plucking and graceful croon create an aura of idyllic nostalgia. The album’s conversational lyrics are delivered with a longing purr that’s both intimate and universal.

 

Aaron’s ability to craft warm, heart-felt songs that are as musically intricate as they are thematically poignant makes each track on The Gift of Every Word seem less like pure entertainment and more like friendly company. Each selection eases you into a state of familiar coziness, as Aaron affectionately sings about the stuff of life: love, loss and friendship. The Gift of Every Word’s longevity is diabolical, as you come for the catchy melodies, and stay for the stories. A | Glen Elkins

 

RIYL: Fionn Regan, Damian Jurado, Neil Young