Julian Taylor - “Long Time Ago”

Slip into a comfortable pair of headphones and press play on the warm, nostalgic sounds of “Long Time Ago,” the latest cut from Toronto-based singer-songwriter Julian Taylor.

Fans of Americana that avoids the twang of alt-country are going to very pleased when this track enters the ears. After a brief acoustic intro, the thick and creamy tones of a vintage-imbued rhythm section appear, and “Long Time Ago” begins its smooth and inviting sonic journey. Taylor’s vocal then arrives, confident and familiar, as though he was born for this exact flavor of folksy storytelling.

A major highlight here, for us, is the sense that the track is glued together with a warm compression and sounds to be completely analogue. From the drums and bass, to the layers of guitars, “Long Time Ago” feels as cozy as sitting around a fireplace, completely content with the approaching winter months. The hook is simple, which makes it easy to memorize and sing along, creating an instant ear-worm upon the arrival of additional vocal layers.

A key change brings with it a tastefully utilized lap steel, with just the right amount of dirt. For all we know, it could simply be a slide guitar, but the result is quite heavenly and leaves you wanting more. As the song enters the bridge, it becomes very clear that Taylor knows his way around a composition, which causes us to eagerly await his future releases.

“Long Time Ago” comes from Taylor’s Anthology Vol. 1, which features a selection of tunes from Taylor’s past, but also a handful of unreleased gems, including this one.

-HD