John Carroll Kirby. Blowout.

John Carroll Kirby's new album Blowout was written on a recent stay in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica. Between 5am wake-up calls from oropendola birds and psychedelic sunsets, he wrote Blowout, inspired by the local people, music and nature. Though its songs are joyful, that joyfulness is tinged with melancholy. Kirby says, “Blowout is about enjoying yourself even though life is tough, before the candle blows out.”

Blowout sways between the title’s two definitions – a moment of destruction and one big party. While writing the album, Kirby thought of episodes of collective madness or delusion, like Fyre Festival and the Heaven’s Gate cult. The album imagines “a festival where everyone gets beamed up to utopia or heaven instead of starving or dying unfulfilled.” Kirby says, “I’m trying to use imagination in music to create my own myths, and keep things playful and funny and not too sanctimonious.”

“His strongest album to date. It hits all the points you want, and then some.” – Clash 8/10

“Kirby’s most adventurous record as well as his most accessible, thanks to hip arrangements, imaginative compositions, and focused, expert musicianship.” – AllMusic ****

“Seductively warped and slightly exotic… entirely irresistible” – Uncut 8/10

“A left-field jazz date traversing elation and sadness” – MOJO ****