Comforting and nostalgic

Jack Johnson released his studio album Meet The Moonlight on June 24th, 2022. Meet The Moonlight is Johnson’s first full-length project since 2017, following a string of singles that he has released occasionally throughout the years. With his gentle, recognizable voice and classic acoustic-adjacent sound, Johnson channels nostalgia and modernity equally on this album.

Sitting at ten tracks, Meet The Moonlight opens up with “Open Mind,” inviting listeners into Johnson’s world, musing about meandering between being hopeful and hopeless. The album kicks off on a warm and welcoming note, preparing listeners for what’s to come. It weaves into “3AM Radio,” a more upbeat song fronted by an acoustic guitar. More rhythmic and percussive, this song is both soothing and engaging.

“Calm Down” opens with a slide guitar line, putting the song somewhere between tropical and country sounding. As the title suggests, it’s a very relaxing song, very calming. It’s relatively simple instrumentally, as nothing feels overwhelmingly over the top. “I’m right here with you, just calm down,” Jack croons. In an overwhelming world, this song is a sweet beacon of light.

The next track, “One Step Ahead,” begins with a strong drum and bassline. There is a distinctly different vibe than the first few tracks of the album, but Jack’s vocals tie it all together. This song shows that he can explore different styles, and he does it successfully. 

The title track sits directly in the center of the tracklist. “Meet The Moonlight” is a soft ballad that is also the longest song on the record. Gentle layered guitar lines wrap around Jack’s soothing vocals, creating a luscious concoction of nostalgia that will draw in any listener. It’s clear why this was chosen as the title track, it’s the stand-out track of the album.

Swiftly moving into “Don’t Look Now,” this is another more upbeat song. It charges on diligently, a rhythmic guitar line carrying on throughout both the choruses and the verses. Even on the more upbeat songs, Jack Johnson never strays into anything that feels intense. While upbeat, every song is still encouraging, relaxing, and comforting to listen to.

“Costume Party” begins with what sounds like people blowing into water jugs, and an acoustic guitar kicking in immediately solidifies the mood. It feels as if you’re sitting around a campfire at night, with Jack and his guitar right next to you. That same energy continues through “I Tend To Digress” and “Windblown Eyes,” all three songs centered around an acoustic guitar. Most of the songs on this album feature an acoustic guitar, but that authentic, campfire-esque feel is especially present towards the end of the album.

The album wraps up with “Any Wonder,” a powerful ballad that builds throughout. Johnson’s vocals are gentle yet firm. It’s a sweet note to end on, as the song feels like a warm hug and is sure to leave listeners feeling comforted. Jack Johnson has a very nostalgic, recognizable voice, and this album feels comforting more than anything else. His relaxing and well-polished music (as well as the rest of his discography) makes his work pleasant to revisit.