The Long Game was the first Johnathan Rice album I had heard after I picked up the CD from the KZUU office. As a kid, I grew up on a lot of folk-indie music, and this album took me back to those albums I grew up on. Johnathan’s soft baritone pairing with the simple guitar creates the epitome of a feel-good sound. But each song is different and complex if you listen to the music behind the voice. The lyrics are comforting, the music is comforting, and the vocals are comforting. It really is just a comforting and emotionally-driven album.

He has a similar sound to Ray Lamontagne, Hozier, Damien Rice, and other folk-y indie singers, but I thought he had a really unique vocal sound in this album. Especially in Silver Song, you get to hear his extensive range and it’s really impressive.

Overall, this is probably my favorite album I’ve picked up off the preview racks shelves. Maybe it’s nostalgic hearing music similar to what I grew up on, but it’s been on repeat on my phone since I first heard it. Those who like modern folk like the aforementioned Lamontagne, Rice, Hozier, the Decemberists, or anything like that would love this album. That being said, I would definitely recommend it to anyone and everyone.

Try: Silver Song, Hollow Jubilee, Change, and Millions of Miles