Joshua Caole

Musically and vocally Joshua Caole sounds like he is from a quiet American town, invoking images of dusty tracks and rusty trucks. The fact that Caole is actually from Cardiff proves a surprise. Whatever his roots his songwriting heart belongs to America and the likes of Conor Oberst and Elliot Smith.

To underline that very point, Moon Palace (Caole’s first release) takes its name from a book by Paul Auster, which is set in America’s mid-west. The book is about exploring life and discovery and there are certain hidden character references, with names like Stanley, Fogg and Marco (after Henry Morton Stanley, Phileas Fogg and Marco Polo) and within this album there are not so hidden references of a different kind.

His pained but warm vocal brings us cheeky little vignettes of life, with references to girls next door and dresses falling on bedroom floors, as he reflects on life’s little mysteries. He is reflective, moody and introspective and tracks like Please To Have You, Sweet Sweet Eyes instantly display his love of the likes of Ryan Adams with catchy acoustic songs that work their way into your conscience instantly.

His guitar work is impressive on the likes of Butterfly, with some lovely blues harmonica, which is repeated on Stay Here For Awhile. Girl Of Your Own Time’s delicate storytelling shares a summery feel but it is in the likes of piano led Make Any Friends that the hidden treasure is found. The emotion within is its beauty and the tenderness increases with each listen.

Unlike a previous generation’s Welsh troubadour Martyn Joseph, Joshua Caole does not share musings on life in the valleys and wind washed coasts. At least it does not sound like it. Caole is pictured on the cover shadowed by artistic light, hiding his face. Perhaps that hints at the subtlety within, as he hides his roots in the shadow of an Americana background. Whatever the intentions, it works and this is an impressive debut.