Jake Xerxes Fussell debuts new album “When I’m Called” on Fat Possum Records :: 07/12
You can taste the ancient dust and busted rust found in the wickedly charming particles of Fussell’s music. His carefully perfected arrangements transcend effortlessly over country rooftops, mighty misty mountains and candle lit venues all across the world. Cathartic choruses splash against the skull via retro gadgets and fresh, picnic air circulating through fossil lungs, while its listener cautiously crosses a roaring river someplace south and long forgotten. Born and raised in Columbus, GA, the now Durham, NC based musician, (son of Fred C. Fussell who is a folklorist, curator, and photographer) and all around master of his craft, Fussell is a purist when it comes to channeling the traditions of song and its complicated, deep rooted history. A scholar of strings whose voice and incredible abilities surge through a narrative like no other, while simultaneously prevailing the hardships of what it takes too often be a storyteller.
Fussell mirrors the better parts of society and its longing characters in a way that’s both romantic and comical. With past works such as 2017’s groundbreaking album, “What In The Natural World”, 2019’s “Out of Sight” and 2022’s “Good and Green Again”, the musician casts a titanium line across a cosmic landscape of fast forwarded fields of golden grain and the remnants of IH’s hanging in the balance of horizons yet undefeated. Harnessing the poetic solitude and admiration for painted bardo’s on vintage canvas, Fussell returns with a gorgeous effort entitled “When I’m Called” that truly captures the musician’s unparalleled abilities to conjure the backdrop of something even Muir himself couldn’t grasp while levitating across the land. A serene journey into sparkling rivers with calm vibrations echoing through historical canyons, whose prehistoric walls express a language spoken only through the wild winds of space and time.
Across the album’s 9 tracks, listeners can expect all the elements as to why Fussell is already their favorite among an infinite amount of contemporary musicians. His luscious tones piercing through the windows of ones mind, while his blossomed voice carries a million songbirds through a darkened corridor of twilight. Fussell calls on both new and old friends such as the unparalleled Blake Mills, Joan Shelley and James Elkington to help bring this subtle masterpiece to life. The album’s first single, “Going To Georgia” splinters off into the soft music galaxy and crash lands in a hometown victory. It’s harmony and rich body with jeweled moons and hanging planets creates a warming constant in memory. Fussell has only been a perfection at the delicate relationship between sound and poetry and “When I’m Called” is a simple testament to this musician’s boundless talents. Furthering into the very depths of the album with tracks such as “When I’m Called”, “Gone To Hilo” and the album’s 2nd single, “Leaving Here, Don’t Know Where I’m Going”, Fussell paints an incredibly divine temple of spiritual bliss and university of faithful hearing.
Set for release form the folks over at Fat Possum Records on July 12th, Fussell is also preparing for a big tour that takes place both in the states as well as over seas this summer. Keep up with his socials for further details.
