British singer/songwriter
Mike Rosenberg
, otherwise known as
Passenger
, continues exploring the broader sonic palette he developed on 2012's
All the Little Lights
with his sixth studio album, 2014's
Whispers
. As he did last time,
Rosenberg
once again teamed up with
producer
Chris Vallejo
. Together, they deliver a batch of evocative acoustic folk and indie pop songs that are often expanded with orchestral flourishes. That said,
's main instrument of choice here is still the acoustic guitar, and all the songs on
retain the Brighton-based artist's core intimacy. Influenced by both traditional British folk and more modern singer/songwriters,
's work here falls somewhere between the earnest classicism of
Mumford & Sons
and the contemporary pop of
Ed Sheeran
. Vocally, he has a distinctively poignant chirp of a voice that sounds something akin to an elf who stayed up all night smoking, drinking, and sharing stories with friends. Which isn't to say he sounds wizened, just world-weary and steeped in a kind of twee ennui. Whether he's singing about growing older ("27") or delving into a poetic allegory about loneliness ("Bullets"),
has a knack for intimate revelations that still read as universal. He also has a gift for melody, and cuts like the melancholy "Heart's on Fire" and the similarly hushed "Rolling Stone," with its
Van Morrison-esque
woodwind backgrounds, are pleasantly enjoyable songs, perfect for introspective listening on warm summer afternoons. Ultimately, with
,
has crafted an album of sweet, hummable anthems for tender-hearted troubadours everywhere. ~ Matt Collar