Most people can probably count on one hand the number of kids’ albums they like to listen to if any at all. We most likely associate them with things like “Baby Shark” or age-old nursery rhymes like “Twinkle Twinkle.” But in recent years artists have brought some amazing music that can be enjoyed by the whole family, people like Josh Lovelace of Young Folk. His most recent release “Perfect Day” starts our summers with a bang, letting the kids dream of what’s to come and maybe the parents reminisce on days past.
“I’ve got the sunlight shining on my face… I’ve got the blue skies calling out my name… Oh, it’s a perfect day.”
Perfect Day Josh Lovelace
Perfect Day starts out simple, with tasteful acoustic layers playing a happy melody. Then Josh brings in percussion layer by layer as he encourages us all to head out and enjoy the day. The vocals are layered very well, letting you hear each takes unique dips and bends while not distracting from the lyric. He also brings in light harmonies, first starting low then jumping back up for the chorus. The melody, especially in the chorus is so catchy you’re sure to be humming along after one listen. Stylistically it takes a more pop centered sound on the Folk/Americana that Josh has released, though the sensibility and core instruments are still there.
Josh Lovelace is best known as the keyboard and saxophone player in the Grammy-nominated group NEEDTOBREATHE. He’s originally from and still lives in Knoxville Tennessee with his family. His first release as what would become Young Folk was in 2017, with the self-titled album. He then followed with Growing Up in 2019. His releases have won Parents Choice and NAPPA awards, and he has been featured on numbers of publications from NPR to Southern Living and beyond.
This single sets up the next album, which is titled Moonwalking, releasing June 17. Josh had this to say about the new album, “When I started writing for this record, I wanted to create a collection of songs that gave us all permission to use our imagination, leave our worries at the door and take life a little less seriously. After the last few years we’ve all experienced, I really need the space to laugh and smile a little bit. I think we all need that. I hope this album does that for kids and families while celebrating a belief in and for the youngest listener. I can’t wait for you to hear it.” From Joshlovelacemusic.com
You can see Josh performing live June 21 at the Wolf Trap Children’s Theatre-in-the-woods, VA, and debuting the new album June 24 at the Muse in Knoxville, TN.
