The first CD anyone ever gifted me was the Jack Johnson “Brushfire Fairytales” record. I vividly remember sitting in my bedroom, just listening to the sweet beach-pop melodies and Johnson’s soothing vocals. This was where my true love of music started. That record led me to discover some of my ‘staples’ - John Mayer, Dave Matthews, and ultimately Jason Mraz. Needless to say, I never found another artist who so truthfully and tastefully captured that beach-pop sounds that Johnson is so well known for.
Enter Josh Taylor - a jew boy (like me) out of suburban St. Louis who picked up and moved to southern California for college. The palm trees, sunshine and sand clearly made it’s mark on Taylor. Years back I heard a few home and iPhone recordings of the the 21 year old and I was floored. Today, all my tropical tasting fantasies came true - Taylor released “Color Wheel” after weeks of build up that drove his over 10,000 Instagram followers bonkers with anticipation. (@joshtaylortunes)
The track kicks off with a subtle and simple melody line riding on the light wave of an ukulele. When the bass drops in, we’re teleported to happy hour somewhere on a white sand beach with the afternoon sun glaring down. The easy bass line, quiet horns, sexy electric guitar solo and ALL the ba-da-da’s (that’s a technical term) give me “that tie-die feel.” There’s no denying that this is that beach-pop sound I’ve looked for all these years.
I am so looking forward to hearing more from Josh Taylor & The Cozy Boys. They’re laid back persona and sea salt breeze blown hair will no doubt drive the ‘beaches’ crazy.
