By Jenell Taylor, Contributor 

[Secretly Canadian; 2024]

Rating: 7/10

Key Tracks: “Never Seen a Rose,” “Sister Christian,” “East My Love”

Folksy and sentimental is Nick Rattigan, also known as Current Joys. His new album East My Love delivers a tender yet yearning modern folk performance that is perfect for fall. Intense themes of religion, reminiscence, longing and conviction shine through in Rattigan’s storytelling. Powerful instrumentals coupled with raw lyrics set the tone for the days ahead that hold cooler weather, shorter days and the perpetual aroma of cinnamon in the air. 

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Composed three years prior to the release of his previous album Love + Pop Pt 2, Rattigan wrote this one alone in the Tennessee woods as a way to translate his most personal struggles into palpable lyrics. Love + Pop Pt 2 was an experimental pop/emo rap album that was generally not received well. Rattigan diverged from his familiar indie sound and experimented with a genre that simply did not suit him.

East My Love, however, explores a folk direction that showcased Rattigan’s vocal style much more and proves that his music is personable and distinct. Rattigan’s vocals, as is typical with his previous music, is candid and clear while being accompanied with violin riffs that I can only describe as spectacular.

A few of the songs on this album bear a mood and cadence reminiscent of the awe that quite a few of Alex G’s songs harbor. For example, “Oh, Sister” and “California Rain” feel like they exist in the same vein that “Powerful Man” does. It’s a sentiment that ignites something different in everyone who listens. In addition to the main vocals, a soft and sweet female voice sings backing vocals, adding a layered feel to the music. There’s a nostalgia that’s found in folk music, and it always pulls the listener back in time and forces them to be retrospective. Rattigan understands that concept and curates it to fit the story he wanted to tell with this album. 

The last two songs on the tracklist, “East My Love” and “Feelin’ Groovy” contradict each other in such a stark and brilliant way that so clearly show the intention of this album. “East My Love” is full of desire and heart, while “Feelin’ Groovy” leaves a bright feeling of effervescence to end on.

Although it has all of the elements of a well thought out folk album, there’s only so much that can be done before it begins to sound repetitive. The guitar riffs blend into each other throughout each of the songs, and it is hard to tell from time to time which song is playing. Chord variation is very important to be able to differentiate the specific moods that the artist wants to portray track to track.

That aside, East My Love is a steady ease into the winter months and an excellent addition to Current Joys’ strong discography. In an interview with Scoop News, Rattigan regarded the unreleased songs as “landmines that would put [him] back into this emotional space”, and eventually, he “got to a place where they were more comforting”.

It’s easy to get lost in a whirlwind of your own emotions and not make anything of it, but East My Love gives us an opportunity to repurpose those emotions into something positive and sanguine. Rattigan’s hope for the future is evident with this one.