Portland-based singer-songwriter Jeffrey Martin returned late last year with his new record, Thank God We Left the Garden, which was released via Fluff & Gravy Records.
“Paper Crown” is a thoughtful and emotional folk offering with a pretty delivery and a sense of storytelling with a poignant heart and soul. There are elements of alt-country that remind of some of the great modern contemporaries such as Jason Isbell.
Speaking on “Paper Crown,” Martin adds:
“This is a simple song that fell out of a complicated moment. We are in this mad race of technology and progress, and the pace of it can feel dizzying at times. Paper Crown is a hopeful reminder that contentment is found in all the little ways we step outside of the rat race. It takes vigilance and courage to not be consumed by the machine we’ve created: vigilance to keep your heart elevated above the noise and courage to acknowledge everything you still don’t understand. It’s staggering how much posturing is built into our society. Everything from how we dress, to the titles we give ourselves at work, to the books on our shelves, the paint on our houses, the cars we drive, the degrees we earn— all of it to maintain the illusion that anyone has the first clue what is really happening here. And yet, in the privacy of our aloneness, most people feel desperately lost. Completely bowled over by the sheer amount of what they don’t understand. Paper Crown is an attempt at celebrating that unknown, as opposed to fearing it and trying to hide it away.”
Enjoy the track below and find the entire album streaming + available to buy at Bandcamp.
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