Jacob Thomas Jr. - Original Sin (2014)

Nashville based country folk singer, Jacob Thomas Jr., just released his debut album on June 17. Composed almost entirely of just his vocals and an acoustic guitar, Original Sin is an extremely honest record about Jacob’s struggles growing up in the deep South. Spending his early adulthood as a church pastor in Louisiana, Jacob writes about the difficulty he faced in reconciling his preaching with the time he spent performing music in bars. After being let go by the church, he began his career as a musician, performing with artists such as Uncle Kracker and Willie Nelson before choosing to release his own music.

The main strength behind Original Sin is in its blatant honesty. Jacob’s lyrics delve into topics such as his time in the church, going through a divorce, and struggles he has faced with his “Drinkin’ Thing.” With his deep, expressive vocals, Jacob is able to infuse such raw emotion into his songs that you can hear the pain and regret in his voice, most notably in the apologetic “What I Meant To Say.”

While the music is very mellow and enjoyable, the lack of diversity on the album causes some of the songs to blend in together if you are not paying close attention. Featuring Lily Costner, Jacob’s cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Go Your Own Way” stands out most on the record. His take is sad but refreshing, and his vocals blend beautifully together with Lily’s sweet, clear voice.

Musically, Original Sin is a relaxing album, the type you can listen to while sitting outside on the porch with a book in the summer. It’s also a deep, thoughtful album, allowing you to really internalize the lyrics and spend time reflecting on your own life.