3 out of 5

Label: Hawthorne Street Records

Produced by: Warren Gray

A couple of the tracks that would form the foundation for Evan Patterson’s Jaye Jayle – initially something of an outlet for stricter folk exploration, inspired by recent travels. As such, both of these tracks are fairly straightforward in tone, and lean into the travelin’ man mindset.

The title track is the lesser of the two, if still a catchy folk rock song. Focused on the combination of a simple riff and punchy drums that drop in and drop out, Patterson muses melodically over that road, and where it may lead. Lyrical explorations are limited, and the music really doesn’t vary, but it’s pleasant and short.

The B-side is even shorter, but packs in a bit more: Ease Your Own Mind contemplates… well, it could be anything, but given the known inspirations for Jaye Jayle, let’s suppose Evan was looking about and just questioning his motivations in general. The flexibility of the lyrics are not a slight, though, but rather allow for the listener to apply their own meaning, as some ambient extras accompany the initially minimalist, moody guitar, before the ending picks up in intensity. It ends with some gas in the tank – another go of verse and chorus could’ve sealed the deal, but it’s proof of how the JJ sound would get fleshed out along the way.