isn't there something about those lights?

jon-rae fletcher's oh maria is the best thing i've added to my iTunes in a long, long time. bold statement, i know. however, it's nothing but true. it's honest and simple and hauntingly beautiful. it's a january record, for sure. january records are the kind of records that make you want to curl up in your bed and cry over the things you wish you had but don't. (january is the only acceptable month to do that, by the way.)

don't get me wrong. the whole record doesn't make you want to cry. but songs like "city lights," "big talker" and "oh, maria" do. they're just so honest. they're the kind of songs that make you feel like the artist is sitting there, on the end of your bed, playing those songs to you.

"big talker" is probably my favourite track. it's heartbreaking. it's so heartbreaking, it almost makes you angry, in a way.

the album draws on country, gospel and roots foundations. the gospel shows up in the soulful harmonies and melodies, like in "downtown," and the traditional country shines in tracks like "no dancing." it's utterly nostalgic, in the best way possible.

oh maria is the most well-rounded album i've listened to in ages. again, simple beautiful, front to back.

watch "big talker," and jon-rae's interview with the National Post below.