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Singer-songwriters are a rare thing in this day and age, and it’s rarer still to discover someone as deeply indebted to the era of Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan as they are to CBGB and the punk scene; Jon Pozzuto defies expectations, however, and uses his historic upbringing (starting at the age of 14 in New York City clubs before traveling the world and touring Japan twice) to culminate in one of the most impressive debut EPs of the last few years, easily.
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/JonPozzutoMusic/
Valley of Empty Cities is a mature blend of Pozzuto’s influences, using lyrics-heavy folk road trip inhibitions through musical freeways that often take detours through Lou Reed and Ramones-esque rest stops. “Dead End Train” is the EP’s opener and it’s a rock-solid track, weaving in those great storytelling lyrics Pozzuto has made his trademark. The percussive drive throughout the song does its best imitation of a ghost train, recklessly and relentlessly charging ahead. “Love and Death” would be my pick for the best song on the EP, as it gives the album the necessary emotional arc it needs to fully dig into listeners’ hearts. “I keep my fondest memories locked away somewhere, and that sweetness you forbade me, well, I don’t need it anymore.” Allowing this to be the second song on the EP, Pozzuto not only contextualizes the way you’ll hear the closing two tracks but re-contextualizes how the songs will all hear on repeat listens.
Pozzuto’s vocal stylings are the most punk thing about the project, and when he breaks the mold by switching his sharp vocal delivery for something more tender (see the third track “Cemetery Grove”), the EP only grows more memorable. The guitar riffs throughout feel as country-fried as they do forged in NYC’s dingy underground clubs, though, and the constant one-two step of these two main sounds are more than enough to keep audiences engaged with Valley of Empty Cities. Title track “Valley of Empty Cities” closes out the EP and brings the CBGB roots to the forefront by drawing comparisons in lyrical content to the club’s very own Talking Heads and their track “(Nothing But) Flowers.” The comparison between artists ends there, however, as Pozzuto is much more focused on the almost country-rock tinge of his catalog over the eclectic, sometimes bizarre, direction of David Byrne and co.
APPLE MUSIC: https://music.apple.com/us/album/valley-of-empty-cities/1619834546?i=1619834551
There’s a lot of life experience bursting from all four tracks on Valley of Empty Cities, and Pozzuto never allows the EP to become a vanity project. The music takes the spotlight first and foremost, and the clever lyrics can tell stories from their writer’s life without ever feeling over-nostalgic about the glory days. There’s enough subtext for those wanting it, but Pozzuto’s main priority is crafting earnest rock music with a punch, and he succeeds at that with remarkable ease. One of the main things fans will fight against the EP is the short runtime, but it’s a small gripe to be had. There’s never too much of a good thing, but sometimes less is more and Pozzuto is wise to leave the fans wanting whatever comes next. With Valley of Empty Cities, Jon Pozzuto can take some time off to relax, knowing he’s done his musical heroes justice — it’s quite the life he’s led, and this EP is yet another marvelous feather to add to his cap.
by Jennifer Munoz
