In the ever-evolving world of music, few artists can boast a career as diverse and influential as Bruce Cockburn. With a legacy spanning over five decades, Cockburn has consistently captivated audiences with his thoughtful lyrics, virtuosic guitar playing, and unique vocal style. His latest album, O Sun O Moon, released in 2023, showcases his enduring talent and serves as a testament to his artistic evolution. Seamlessly blending folk and rock elements, Cockburn's music will continue to resonate with listeners worldwide with this latest release; one of his very best!
While there isn’t much to say about the album artwork, it’s an appealing piece of visual art that plays into the album’s title quite well. I can only imagine how impressive it would look on the larger vinyl canvas and while I aim to pick up a copy, from a sonic perspective I’m smitten with the lossless stream available via Apple Music. As I listen to the record, it becomes clear that Cockburn is in the room with you and every instrumental element has the space to breathe. It really is a well-recorded, mixed, and mastered album.
Of course, sonic quality alone is for nil if the music isn’t exceptionally good and while I don’t always appreciate music for its literal meaning, instead choosing to enjoy the human vocal as another instrument in the mix, join me as I take a look at the songs that make up O Sun O Moon. And, yes, dear reader, you can most certainly enjoy the very best a singer/songwriter has to offer even if, like me, you don’t pay attention to the lyrical stories expressed via the songs.
On A Roll sets the musical tone for the entire album. While the rhythm will infect your soul, it is the catchy chorus that I find myself drawn to as well as the mid-song guitar solo; although I do wish the mix was somewhat different so that the solo could take centre stage for I feel it is too concealed.
Orders slows the tempo a little but the gorgeous guitar work throughout is thoroughly pleasing to the senses. Orders is delivered poetically in Cockburn’s chosen style and as with On A Roll, it is Cockburn’s delivery on the microphone that makes Orders so compelling. It’s singer/songwriter gold and makes for a perfect accompaniment when you’re after music that is both bold and relaxing.
Push Comes To Shove sees me turn the volume up. Exquisite comes to mind for the recording and the mix is utterly perfect with a jazz-inspired tune that is one of the best songs from O Sun O Moon and is without a doubt one of Cockburn’s greatest recordings.
Colin Went Down To The Water is one of those songs that will create an earworm; a pleasing one, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say that it isn’t the strongest song on the album. My feeling is that it is a little too repetitive and while I acknowledge that others may love that approach, it has the potential to cause fatigue upon repeat listens.
Into The Now is a lovely song sung in a near-lullaby style. It may not be a standout, but Into The Now ensures that the album structure of O Sun O Moon is one of the very best records released in 2023.
Us All flows beautifully from Into The Now and Cockburn’s beautiful tones float lovely on the musical bed of the song. It’s an outstanding mix!
To Keep The World We Know takes us back to an upbeat tempo, yet there’s little to no jolt to the senses. It will have you toe-tapping and head-bopping; a great tune.
King Of The Bolero is a magnificent song. Truly magnificent! King Of The Bolero is a textbook example of how to write, record, mix, and master a perfect tune. It’s songs like this that prove just how incredibly talented Cockburn is as a musician.
When The Spirit Walks In The Room continues the sonic masterpiece and is one of my favourite songs from O Sun O Moon. Cockburn’s gravelly vocal presentation here is the highlight for he takes every note and intonation right to the edge of his capabilities and holds it so that, as with Us All, his vocal delicately hangs in the air just above the backing musical elements.
Haiku (Instrumental) is a lovely musical interlude.
O Sun By Day O Moon By Night is essentially the inspiration behind the album’s title and it’s a fantastic tune. Yes, to some it may come across as a little preachy, particularly in the chorus, but it’s lovely nonetheless.
When You Arrive isn’t a standout, but it is the perfect closer for O Sun O Moon for it encourages me to play the album again. It also does what all good closers should; it allows one to contemplate the music they’ve just listened to, meaning that it is a perfect way to end a relaxing night of music listening.
Bruce Cockburn's O Sun O Moon is a musical masterpiece that effortlessly blends folk and rock elements to deliver a deeply satisfying listening experience. Each track on the album showcases the artist's immense talent and artistic growth and that isn’t bad considering Cockburn is fast approaching his eighth decade. It just goes to prove that age is but a number for O Sun O Moon is one of the best albums released in 2023 and if it were to be Cockburn’s final album, then it wouldn’t be far-fetched to suggest that this release was a pinnacle moment in his illustrious career.