Pilgrim

Album Review

There is something liberating about hearing a song that moves you. For listeners like me, it can become a kind of addiction. I am constantly searching for music that reaches deep inside, and finding an album like Pilgrim feels like a victory. Pilgrim is Josh White, known for his work with Telecast and The Followers. Here, he moves into electropop with a record that opens up an exciting new side of his music.

“I’ve Been Surprised” is a great representation of the album as a whole. Its arrangements and dynamics remain interesting throughout, holding your attention until the end. “Surrender” echoes the driving drumbeat of The Black Keys’ “Howlin’ for You” and is easily one of the album’s many highlights. What I love most is the continuous flow: the record offers a variety of sounds while maintaining a clear identity of its own.

The expansive, mood-altering sounds of “Outrageous” make me want to leave it on repeat, probably driving my family crazy in the process. “Only Your Presence” may be the best track, a pulsing affair that leaves an impression of times gone by long after it ends. “Fills the Skies” has an entrancing rhythm section that eases the song along, finding a lovely balance between ambient music and pop.

Pilgrim gets it right by paying as much attention to melody and rhythm as to beats and lyrics. White draws us into a fresh electronic landscape without losing the emotional pull of his songwriting. It is a welcome release and one of the strongest albums I heard in 2013.

Review by Anthony P. Hanna