Jacob D. Edward – "Musings"
Jacob D. Edward’s latest single, "Musings," is a folk tune that treads the delicate line between raw emotion and subtle musical complexity. Released on November 22nd, the track follows the success of his previous release, En Route to the End, and further cements his place in the indie folk scene. With its 3-minute-and-19-second runtime, "Musings" opens with the kind of familiar folk guitar that feels instantly nostalgic, evoking images of melancholy afternoons and introspective thoughts. The lyrics kick off with the evocative line, "She comes and she goes, sometimes a threat gets god on the fence as she is jumping," setting the tone for a song that’s as much about hidden emotions as it is about the tension of unspoken desire.
As the track progresses, a subtle shift occurs at the one-minute mark when Jacob sings, "I turn her into a fierce deity," and the song evolves. The bluesy folk vibe is given a slight jazz undertone, thanks to the frequent modulations in Jacob’s guitar playing, which lends the track a sense of movement, almost like a quiet storm brewing. The song feels reminiscent of Neil Diamond’s emotive delivery but also echoes the haunting spirit of Townes Van Zandt’s Waiting Round to Die—the kind of folk music that feels timeless in its reflection on human vulnerability.
"Musings" is more than just a song—it’s a confession. Written about Jacob’s hidden romantic feelings for his backup singer, the track explores the frustrations and envies that come with secret love. As Jacob himself puts it, the song is about “hidden romance”—a love that comes with layers of emotions, and a longing that is never fully expressed. It's a sentiment that runs through the whole track, with every note carrying the weight of unspoken words. In fact, Jacob admits the song felt "completely naked" while recording it, knowing that the person it was written for would hear it for what it truly is.
There’s a beautiful honesty in the imperfections too. Jacob recalls a moment during recording when he made a mistake on the line, "As she is struggling to dance on her wire." Rather than correcting it, they decided to keep it, adding to the rawness of the track. It’s this willingness to embrace vulnerability that makes "Musings" such an intimate listen. It’s a song that invites the listener into Jacob’s world of conflicted feelings and romantic tension, with a soundscape that perfectly complements the emotional depth of the lyrics.
If you’ve ever found yourself caught between admiration and fear of revealing your feelings, "Musings" will resonate with you deeply. It’s the soundtrack for moments of hesitation, for when you’re on the fence about uncovering secret desires, and the complicated beauty that lies in the space between what’s said and what’s left unsaid.
With influences like Jason Molina, Damien Jurado, and Leonard Cohen, Jacob D. Edward’s songwriting is a tapestry of rich, autumnal imagery and melancholic truths. His music, while soothing, never shies away from the complexity of human emotion, making him a songwriter whose work is both thought-provoking and deeply relatable. Musings fits seamlessly into his evolving discography, marking another step forward in an artist’s journey that continues to unfold with every release.