The new single from Julian Taylor is simply gorgeous. Taylor’s mellow and tuneful guitar is immediately engaging and then his lilting vocal melody and performance elevates ‘Pathways’ to something truly special. Toronto songwriters Robert Priest and Rosanne Baker Thornley worked with Taylor on ‘Pathways’, which was written to be a duet with Allison Russell. The combination of Russell’s and Taylor’s voices is absolutely sublime; their harmonies are perfect as their vocals dance around and with one another. The song explores our place in time and the search for meaning and connection in our fleeting lives. His deeply reflective words are direct yet sensitive, life-affirming and thought-provoking: “Be gentle, be kind // Be grateful, take time.”
Taylor says: “The journey of life puts us all on our own respective pathways to find out who we are, and how we can strive to overcome any of the inner doubts and struggles we all experience. ‘Pathways’ is meant to be a letter from a person who’s gone through many experiences, and who’s trying to be there for someone younger, like their child. Trying to protect them and guide them through the hard points in life. When we co-wrote the song, each of us felt as if we were speaking to our children.”
Back in 2020, Taylor’s second solo album ‘The Ridge’ earned him huge critical praise, winning him Solo Artist of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards and two JUNO nominations. The nominations and awards have continued to come, celebrating his next record ‘Beyond the Reservoir’, and a number of his songs have featured on television shows. Having shared stages with the likes of William Prince, Rodney Crowell and Keb’ Mo’, Taylor has been a prominent performer on the Canadian music scene for the last couple of decades.
This is the fourth single and title track from Taylor’s forthcoming album, which will be released on 27th September 2024. From the strength of the singles so far, and the quality of Taylor’s song-craft, the album promises to be one of the finest this year. Look out for it. In the meantime, be absorbed by ‘Pathways’.
