While the Nation of Heat EP made Joe Pug a talent to watch, and debut full-length Messenger tread on new territory with the addition of pedal steel guitar and a powerhouse rhythm section, his latest release The Great Despiser cements Pug’s reputation as a major player on the folk scene. Recorded in Chicago with producer Brian Deck (Modest Mouse, Iron & Wine, Califone), the Austin-based singer/songwriter. The former playwriting major flexes his storytelling chops over the eleven tracks, creating simple and beautiful ballads that contain a slow build of emotion. What results is a hauntingly gorgeous album that wins hearts and heads; standouts include “Deep Dark Wells”, “One of Many”, and “A Gentle Few.” – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | Chris Bathgate, Doug Burr, Frontier Folk Nebraska, JBM, Oweihops, Sam Quinn, Weinland