Josh Shirah’s Newest Release Begs the Question: How Are You Feeling?

From the first track, “I’ve Got Trouble Making Friends”, the self-mocking song about navigating the line between confidence and narcissism, invites us into the EP cordially while pulling out our seat at the table. By the time you reach the rolling folk guitar and harmonies of “Like Mice”, dinner will have been served. Throughout the 5 tracks, Josh Shirah seems to ask himself the question, “how are you feeling?” while revealing a little bit more about himself with each line of lyrics.

Recently, Shirah’s released a live performance singing “Help Me, I’m In Love” and you can check out the Video Here.

While residing in Los Angeles for now two years and some change, 21 year old Mid-West Coaster and Michigan native, Josh Shirah, brings listeners four new lyric heavy songs (and one acoustic rendition) to hint at what the future holds. The beginning of the project starts us off with a grand piano, instead of his handy wood and wire that hangs off his back. Josh enlisted the help of Hudson Long, who laid out a beautiful melody from the lowest to highest octave on his keys. The end of the first song slowly fades and leads us into “Help Me, I’m in Love”, Josh’s attempt to use a looping delay pedal to slowly draw you into dreamy yet melancholy minor chords. For the remaining two songs on the EP, Josh gets back to basics with his trusty Ibanez writing about returning and running away from home along with the complicated relationship with those who fall through on words just a little too much. Altogether, the songs make up a message about learning who one is alone and being able to ask yourself the question, “how are you feeling?” when no one else will.

It seems Josh is growing and evolving into a clearer image of an artist, though at his own pace. In his most recent release, he demonstrates a better understanding of his vocal range while continuing to push his limits. The precise vocal control invites a different way to convey each story and emotion sung out while also grabbing your brain’s attention with catchy hooks. The lyrics are framed as a type of poetry and you can feel the optimistic pain he seems to be working through. Perhaps one day he’ll be able to fully answer his own question, “How Are You Feeling?” though until then, we’ll be asking ourselves the same while listening to his melodies.

 

LINKS:

https://open.spotify.com/album/6zrQGz7bTTxwcvY4lEt5nE

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoshShirahMusic/

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/josh-shirah-1/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/josh.shirah

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoshShirah