Sturgill Simpson’s latest incarnation as Johnny Blue Skies marks a bold, yet fitting, evolution in his already eclectic career. With Passage du Desir, Simpson delivers an album steeped in the raw emotion and masterful storytelling that fans have come to expect from him, even as he embarks on this new artistic journey. The album is a haunting exploration of loneliness and romantic devastation, but it’s far from a mere genre experiment. Simpson’s distinctive blend of country, pop, and bluegrass shines through, showcasing his expressive voice and his uncanny ability to mix heartbreak with resilience.
The album opens with “Swamp of Sadness,” a track that feels like a journey through the backwoods, with its accordion and mandolin creating a sound that’s both familiar and fresh. There’s a nostalgic Waylon Jennings vibe here, but with a twist that only Simpson could pull off. The upbeat “Right Kind of Dream” follows, inviting listeners to the dance floor with its infectious groove, while “Scooter Blues” takes a playful detour into T. Rex-inspired boogie. However, it’s the soulful “If the Sun Never Rises Again” that truly highlights Simpson’s versatility, revealing his potential as a great soul singer.
Despite these moments of light, Passage du Desir is shrouded in a deep, persistent melancholy. In “Swamp of Sadness,” Simpson sings of being trapped in a “cycle of solitude and sin,” and by the time he reaches “Who I Am,” his twangy guitar underscores the stark realization that “They don’t tell you when you die it’s all a sham.” This theme of existential despair runs throughout the album, creating a poignant contrast to the more upbeat tracks.
The album’s emotional apex is the nine-minute ballad “One for the Road,” where Simpson offers a heartbreaking reflection on a failed relationship. With lines like “I love you, but I broke it,” and “We both know you’ll be better off after you’ve gone,” the song is a gut-wrenching confession of regret and self-awareness. Simpson’s voice, drenched in sorrow, makes every note feel like an open wound.
In the string-laden epic “Jupiter’s Faerie,” Simpson confronts the ultimate tragedy of losing a loved one, possibly to suicide. The Elton John-esque ballad is a somber meditation on grief, with Simpson lamenting, “There’s no happy endings, only stories that stop before they’re through.” It’s a line that encapsulates the album’s overarching theme of unfinished business and unresolved pain.
With Passage du Desir, Sturgill Simpson as Johnny Blue Skies has crafted an album that is both tender and devastating, full of beauty and heartbreak. It’s a powerful statement from an artist who continues to push boundaries and redefine himself, proving that no matter the name, his music remains as compelling and unforgettable as ever. –Jason Felton