Leaps of True Joy and Introspection

Following the Grammy-nominated album, Terms of Surrender, and its follow-up Quietly Blowing It, each albums of intimate, acoustic internal reflection, Hiss Golden Messenger, led by singer-songwriter MC Taylor takes a different step with his upcoming album Jump for Joy. Though both previous albums were successful and reflective of the band’s talent in the realms of both MC Taylors’ lyricism and in instrumental style, the new album Jump for Joy presents listeners with a jolly, groovy and ambitious album. A completely different musical feel, maintaining that same introspective style.

MC Taylor expands into new stylistic reels with an ambitious exploration into the mind of a fictional character, navigating and reflecting on his life experiences throughout the album. Taylor has stated that in writing this album, he went deep into his background and echoed his own life lessons as a 16-year-old boy growing into an 18-year-old finding his way as a musician and then into the life of a 30-year-old having kids, all the while navigating the complexities and nuances of different stages of life.

Taylor’s look back into his own life experiences allows him to explore the confusion of growing up, the convolutions and confusions of maturing, and the lessons that permeate into his character and his outlook years later. Amidst the background of swing-fueled, funk-toned instrumentation, he navigates some heavy, insightful topics creating an overall atmosphere of reassurance and optimism for his listeners.

Lines like “I’m just a nail in the house of the universe, drinking Nu-Grape with a five-dollar bill” and “Guess what? I don’t know the answers” in the standout singles “Nu Grape” and “Shinbone,” encapsulate the tone of the album, a ballad of complexities and simplicities, enjoying carefree humanity amongst everything life throws at us. The bluesy, gospel-toned instrumentation makes for a jolly, fun-loving musical environment, encapsulating the easy-going, go-lucky nature of these songs, with the heavier, more rock-based conclusion of “Sunset on Folders” to round off as a breath of fresh air at the albums close.

That said, Taylor doesn’t stray away from heavy topics. As well as a sense of joy, the album is laced with the acknowledgement of hardship and difficulty. This introspective album looks at life as an understanding of challenges stapled together with a reassuring sense of optimism and lucidness. This is a hugely exciting, overall fun album, with a lot to say and a lot of wisdom for fans to take on.