Under Review

Jon and Roy

Another Noon

Independent

Review By Andrea Warner

Jon and Roy’s new album is reminiscent of great folk music like Simon and Garfunkel or Cat Stevens. Another Noon is a quiet and engaging companion to a day spent inside watching the rain fall or drinking coffee while holding hands with someone adorable. The album’s opening track, also doubling as the album’s title, is an engaging little ditty with “DT Stylee” on handclaps—a winner every time. The countrified “Little Bit of Love” is a foot-stomping charmer. The entire percussion section comes out in “Moonlight,” and the guitar sounds like a literal interpretation of someone moseying down a backcountry road. On “Long Road”, moseying gives way to galloping horses. “Thanks For That” offers a lovely and bittersweet lilting shrug. The interesting give and take between Jon’s voice and his guitar contrasts nicely with Roy’s restrained percussion. If anything, the guitar is sometimes too omnipresent, almost obliterating Jon’s voice on several tracks. However, the biggest criticism Another Noon might face is the “sameness” of the songs—they’re not terribly distinguishable from each other on first or third listen.

That said, the disc is consistent and cohesive—there’s not a single song that feels out of place. Throughout, the guitar and drum offer something quick, like feet skipping, and it’s easy to imagine Another Noon scored across a cheeky and poignant independent film. Almost every song gives the illusion of moving forward while looking fondly behind you. The implied motion somehow provokes happy feelings, the album’s very quaintness catching on like a smile.