Pete Muller - One Last Dance (2025) Hi-Res

To say Pete Muller is a hugely talented guy would be an enormous understatement. Not only is he an excellent singer/songwriter, but wait for this. He is a Quantitative Trader, starting and becoming C.E.O. of a multi-billion-dollar investment firm, and a philanthropist, a founding member of Math America and a Live Music Trustee. And if that wasn’t enough, he regularly contributes Crosswords for the New York Times and has also come fourth in a World Poker Challenge.

It’s incredible to think he has the time for music, but this is his fourth studio release in the last five years. Recorded in Bath at Peter Gabriel’s studio, it is a very assured, mature collection of songs.

In describing the considerations behind ‘One Last Dance’, Muller reflects, “I’ve led a curiosity-driven life, and I feel grateful to have had adventures that few get to experience. But recently, I’ve been finding more joy in the little things, in the small moments of beauty and wonder that only show themselves when you slow down and pay attention”

The album is full of those little, precious, joyful moments. It is largely character-driven, very much in the Harry Chapin vogue. The opening track, ‘New York In The Rain,’ has a very atmospheric feel to it. It captures the emotion of being isolated among the crowded streets of the city, where one can easily disappear into the crowd, totally anonymous, yet not feeling lonely or despondent, but finding joy. He seems able to find both beauty and hope in the loneliest of places. Many of the songs have a Billy Joel or Al Stewart stamp to them. The production is very slick indeed. It was engineered by Grammy award-winning Katie May in the UK, but she was then flown over to the States to finish the overdubs at the famous Power Station.

The title track has a charming Latin feel to it and features a duet with Allison Russell. The song deals with a thrilling but sadly doomed romance. His songwriting is imaginative but always seems very grounded. Mention should also be made of his backing band, The Kindred Souls, who are an extremely talented and tight group of musicians. Together, they have produced a cinematic blend of rock and soul with splashes of roots. If you like adult-oriented americana, this is definitely one to consider.