Singer-songwriter Josh Rouse releases his new album, Love in the Modern Age via Yep Roc Records. Similar to his work on his album 1972 where he captured the aesthetics of a specific moment in time, Rouse's new album takes inspiration from the sound and production of early 1980's releases by The Blue Nile, The Style Council and Prefab Sprout. Also serving as inspiration were Roxy Music’s Avalon, Leonard Cohen's Various Positions and I'm Your Man...

Love in the Modern Age contains 9 songs (34 min, 46 sec), opening with the '80s synth based 'Salton Sea', which helps to set the tone for the rest of the album. It's an upbeat, loving homage to a bygone era complete with non-ironic touches like sax, handclaps, reverbed guitar, backing vocals and keyboards to give the moody but infectious songs a New Romantic flair.

I found it an album that I grew into, rather than enjoying from the first play through. Those that have a fondness for '80s music (me included) will love what Rouse delivers here.

7

Nick Smithson