Josh Davis, as Paper Scissors, was recording the band’s debut album in July 2021 when a fire broke out in the kitchen of his home studio, displacing Davis, his two children, and his partner of 10 years. Not long after, that 10-year relationship also came to an end. This singular inspiration note written as a preclude to this album would be enough to have you either immensely intrigued or deeply unnerved. Clearly, this project is not just any normal release. There’s loss that’s gone into it, a deeply vulnerable and personable loss that’s severely impacted who Josh Davis is as an artist. Recorded in a blitzkrieg eleven day run after this undeniably traumatic event, John Lennon House Husband feels like a folk epic that’s filled to the brim with songs that are overtly expressive and introspective. But, within this intimate and rather grounded subtlety of the writing, Josh Davis leaves space for tracks that are larger than life, that are anthemic and epic in scale and seize.
Starting with Opening Crawl, Josh Davis allows you into his album with an undeniably soft and supple track that stays true to the indie roots you’d imagine he’s able to bring to life. But then on Dissociation Nation, the vibe shifts quite drastically into a more energetic and up tempo rock tune that has a drum section which builds and carries a fervour to it. The chorus here as well, ‘I keep feeling disconnected’ uttering over and over again has you transfixed to the entire arrangement despite the seeming irony of that line.
But perhaps my favourite songs on this record are the ones that echo a sense of purpose and hope that stand tall and resonate strongly. Keep Yr Head Up just infuses you as a listener with a renewed belief in at your lowest point. Finally, on ‘This Is The End’, there couldn’t be a more fitting arrangement to close out the entire totality of what JLHH tries to evoke. Find yourself hopelessly swept away.