Ornamental Monsters
In the fall of 2023, Justin Baker released his sophomore record, Ornamental Monsters. A journey through diverse soundscapes, Ornamental Monsters probes deep into the complexities and paradoxes of everyday life. Geoffrey Bond of Maryland Roots Music notes: “With this varied approach to songwriting combined with sophisticated lyrics and first-rate musicianship, Baker has created a compelling work with Ornamental Monsters. It’s rare that an album so ambitious succeeds so thoroughly.” He adds: “With just a few verses, he’s able to paint rich portraits of complex people, warts and all, who find themselves in situations we can all relate to or may have even been in.” Helen Jones of Americana UK likewise observes the “perfectly executed and rich harmonies” found on the record, the “unguarded vulnerability” of Baker’s voice that “helps his words land with extra impact,” and the lyrics that are “up there with some of the best songwriters.” You can stream Ornamental Monsters below and on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Bandcamp, and every other imaginable streaming service. Thanks for listening and for your support.
Buyer’s Remorse
Baker’s first solo album, Buyer’s Remorse is a dreamy, poetic meditation. Jonathan Smith of Americana UK offers: “The most obvious thing is that Baker is a man who loves words; he clearly cares deeply about his art, and has spent time crafting lyrics that are carefully chosen and articulate. There are really no mis-steps, there is no clumsiness or accidental obtuseness, plenty of allegory and allusion… So it is unsurprising that what he has delivered is a set of songs with highly literate lyrics, wrapped in music whose primary purpose is to serve the words.” You can stream Buyer’s Remorse below and on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, and a host of other streaming services. If you like what you hear, please “follow” me, and share my music with friends and family.