I couldn’t help but smile the first time I heard Bahamas LP Pink Strat. Though it was a rainy day in San Francisco, as I listened to the dreamy tunes of Afie Jurvanen, I was transported to summer bliss. You see, Jurvanen is a Toronto musician who doesn’t let the cold Canadian winters into his songs. He’s spent the last few years playing piano and guitar with popular Canadian bands like Feist, Jason Collett, Howie Beck, and Hayden. Bahamas marks his step into a summery, solo-artist spotlight. After working with such talented musicians, it comes as no surprise that Jurvanen has the stripped, folksy sound down pat.
Bahamas lives up to its name, delivering beachy, acoustic tracks reminiscent of a Jeff Tweedy/Jack Johnson blend. Most of his lyrics chronicle love lost, but Jurvanen manages to be romantic without being sappy. Well, without being too sappy.
In “Sunshine Blues,” he croons:
Going up, you’re coming down / I’m only hoping some day you’ll turn around / Cause I’d be shining and then you’ll see / Who could love you more than me?
Oh, Afie. Your songs are honest and simple, and I simply adore them.