March 03, 2025 – The music world has been buzzing since the release of Passage Du Desir, the latest album from Johnny Blue Skies, unveiled on July 12, 2024, via High Top Mountain Records. This project marks a significant chapter for the artist, widely recognized as Sturgill Simpson under a fresh pseudonym. With eight tracks spanning 41 minutes, Passage Du Desir offers a sonic journey that blends country roots with expansive, genre-defying explorations, earning it widespread acclaim and a spot among the year’s most intriguing releases.
The album opens with “Swamp of Sadness,” a haunting track that sets the tone with its evocative accordion and mandolin flourishes. It’s a slow burn, weaving a tale of a lost soul adrift in Paris, grappling with solitude and yearning. This moody introduction immediately signals that Passage Du Desir isn’t a conventional country record—it’s a tapestry of emotions and sounds that defy easy categorization. The transition into “If The Sun Never Rises Again” shifts gears into a soulful, retro groove, complete with smooth vocals and a standout guitar solo that lifts the track into a realm of timeless appeal.
Johnny Blue Skies shines brightest when pushing boundaries, as heard in the seven-minute epic “Jupiter’s Faerie.” This centerpiece is a storytelling triumph, recounting a poignant search for a lost love that ends in heartbreaking revelation. The blend of piano, organ, and weeping guitar creates a cinematic backdrop, making it one of the album’s most gripping moments. Meanwhile, “Scooter Blues” offers a lighter counterpoint, channeling a Jimmy Buffett-esque beach vibe with playful lyrics about escaping to an island life—a rare moment of levity amid the album’s deeper reflections.
The record’s versatility is further showcased in “Who I Am,” a twangy, introspective number that echoes the outlaw spirit of Waylon Jennings, and “Mint Tea,” a breezy country tune laced with psychedelic undertones. These tracks highlight the artist’s ability to honor his roots while stretching into new territory. The album closes with “One For The Road,” a nearly nine-minute odyssey that melds bluesy guitars, warped strings, and a sprawling solo into a psychedelic farewell. It’s a fitting end, leaving listeners both satisfied and longing for more.
Passage Du Desir—French for “Passage of Desire”—is a deliberate pivot for the artist, who famously vowed to cap his solo output at five albums under his birth name. This new moniker feels less like a reinvention and more like a liberation, allowing for a return to the raw, heartfelt songwriting that defined earlier works like A Sailor’s Guide to Earth. Yet, it’s not without its quirks. The production leans heavily into a ‘70s soft rock vibe at times, with yacht rock influences creeping into tracks like “Right Kind of Dream,” which pulses with an infectious beat and lush strings. Some might find this nostalgic sheen divisive, but it undeniably adds texture to the album’s emotional core.
Lyrically, the album wrestles with identity, love, and loss, themes that resonate universally. Lines like “I couldn’t tell her if I had to who I am” from “Who I Am” and the wistful regret of “Jupiter’s Faerie” reveal a vulnerability that cuts deep. The music complements this introspection with rich, dynamic arrangements—think pedal steel, mandolin, and even melodica—crafted with meticulous care. Recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London and Clement House in Nashville, the sound quality is pristine, amplifying every nuance.
For fans of traditional country, Passage Du Desir might feel like a departure, lacking the straightforward twang of earlier releases like High Top Mountain. But that’s precisely its strength—it owes nothing to expectations, instead carving a path that’s both cosmic and grounded. The album has already garnered praise for its bold creativity, with some calling it a recalibration of the artist’s legacy rather than a mere comeback.
As Johnny Blue Skies prepares to tour under his original name later this year, Passage Du Desir stands as a testament to his restless spirit. It’s an album that rewards repeated listens, revealing new layers with each spin. Whether you’re drawn to its soulful hooks, intricate storytelling, or genre-blending ambition, this release is a compelling addition to an already storied career—and a must-hear for 2025.