1972

Josh Rouse is living in the past and on his fourth album, he’s not afraid to admit it. As the title indicates, the record is an homage to the year 1972, and Rouse does a remarkable job recreating the sound and feel of the time. On the title track, mellow piano chords and the quiet strum of an acoustic guitar recreate the smooth folk-pop sway of Carole King and Joni Mitchell albums. A flute whistles around supple funk beats on “James,” conjuring the mildly decadent vibe of classic Steely Dan, while the cooing, call-and-response “Love Vibration” is both an earnest tribute and a nod-and-wink parody of Philly soul. In the hands of a less gifted songwriter, it would all be little more than an interesting musical exercise, but Rouse has an eye for uncovering the extraordinary in the everyday. Songs about restless fast-food clerks, troubled barflies, and depressed flight attendants give their subjects dignity and depth, ensuring that even though the music sounds like 1972, the sentiments aren’t stuck in the past.