With Island, Ezra Vancil Trades Bluesy Grit for Breezy, Slow-Burning Elegance

Last month, I had the honour of reviewing Ezra Vancil's bluesy and soulful single, Babylove. Recorded in a small cabin in the East Texas woods, the emotional offering really stuck with me, and I've been eagerly awaiting the singer/songwriter's follow-up since. That's where Island comes into play. Unveiled just a few hours ago, it's a stark sonic contrast to its predecessor, but it also showcases a musician whose sound moves with instinctive versatility.

Joined by his daughter, Cozi, on harmonies and supported by some of Nashville’s finest behind him, Ezra crafts a breezy and slow-burning piece of music. Shaping a sound that's much softer around the edges, Island drifts with effortless grace, and it's hard to believe it was recorded in the same remote cabin that birthed Babylove.

Penned after Ezra and his wife got back together, he says that the song "is about time moving on, even when life finally feels right." It's the calm after the storm…and it's a tune that will live on the morning side of Vancil's forthcoming album, Morning & Midnight.

An unexpected but highly elegant deviation from what I was expecting, Ezra's latest release reveals a peaceful shade to his sonic palette - and it works an absolute treat!

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