Josh Ritter - So Runs The World Away

It's hard to believe that Josh Ritter is already on his sixth full length and still remains largely unknown. Due out on May 4, So Runs The World Away has already been compared to a "painting in oil on a large canvas" by Ritter. This image is clear from the first notes of the album, as songs like "Change Of Time" and "Lantern" start off slow and then burst open with bombastic swells of strings, keys, percussion, in addition to Ritter's fantastic vocal and guitar work. Focusing less on the personal and more on narrative lyrics that tell the woes of different characters, Ritter proves himself to be a master songwriter once again as he weaves tales of tragic figures on songs like "The Curse" and "Folk Bloodbath." While So Runs The World Away may be a bit slower and not as immediately accessible as Ritter's last album, 2007's The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter, but it definitely deserves the time it needs to grow on you.

DOWNLOAD: Josh Ritter - So Runs The World Away [Pytheas]
Recommended Tracks: "Rattling Locks," "Folk Bloodbath," "Lark," "Lantern," "Orbital."