Joe Astray - Stories from the Upside Down (2025) [Hi-Res]

Nautical cold and cosy warmth provide a real rollercoaster of emotions in the form of Stories From The Upside Down. The new album by singer/songwriter extraordinaire Joe Astray offers nine praising anthems to art and the decisions of those who devote themselves to it completely with blood, sweat and tears. The analogy of the Upside Down, a world turned on its head, offers an insightful treatise on what the reality of the artist consists of, namely the self-imposed life off the tracks. From the very first second, a dense tapestry of sound spreads out, melancholic yet hopeful at the same time. An image of crackling open fires and beguiling wine fragrances is created throughout the runtime. Stories From The Upside Down was recorded at the renowned Studio Nord in Bremen, the oldest independent recording studio in northern Germany. Joe Astray was supported by his loyal companion Gregor Hennig (Bela B., Die Sterne, among others) on their fourth collaboration; the previous album and two records by his previous band fluppe were already recorded in unison. Stories From The Upside Down consistently continues Joe Astray's unique musical route - DIY, lo-fi, charming and warm.