Rising singer-songwriter Stephen Mugford is making waves as soon as once more, this time with a soul-stirring stay rendition of his observe “Straightforward to Love”, lifted from his jazz-infused debut album Palooza Seashore. Initially launched on September 13, 2024, the studio model launched listeners to Mugford’s deeply private songwriting—however the brand new stay model takes issues a step additional, stripping all of it again to show the emotional core.
The stay single is the primary of 4 set to reach within the form of an EP this fall, providing followers a extra intimate lens into the tales behind Palooza Seashore. “‘Straightforward to Love’ was an opportunity to seize the much less filtered, uncooked emotions that each one of those songs emanate from,” Mugford shares. “I like the produced variations, however these are less complicated and extra uncooked expressions of the deep feelings that have been on the middle of every of them.”
Impressed by a real-life love story, “Straightforward to Love (Dwell)” is poised to soundtrack lots of its listeners’ most tender moments. Mugford’s heat, acoustic sound nods to his influences — the breezy optimism of Jason Mraz, the lyrical finesse of Paul McCartney, and the unvarnished storytelling of Willie Nelson. The result’s a tune that shines not regardless of its simplicity, however due to it.
The discharge is just the start of a broader journey again into Mugford’s world. Two extra stay tracks are slated for launch within the coming months: “Wild Issues”, a heartfelt tribute to his youngsters and a celebration of individuality; and “Runnin”, an introspective piece about getting older alongside his spouse — remarkably penned in simply seven minutes. A video for “Bottom of the Moon” will spherical out the gathering, tackling the emotional complexity of parenthood.
The stay periods additionally convey a recent sonic twist, with producer John Escobar stepping right into a performer’s function on drums and rhythm guitar, and pianist Zahili Gonzalez Zamora including wealthy, textural layers to the stripped-down preparations. Free of the instrumental load, Mugford settles comfortably into the function he was born for: storyteller.
With a background in poetry and years of musical expertise, Mugford’s lyrics reduce to the bone with emotional readability and unguarded honesty. His songs don’t simply play — they keep. “Straightforward to Love (Dwell)” is a testomony to that enduring connection, proving as soon as once more that Stephen Mugford is a voice to look at, and extra importantly, one to really feel.
‘Straightforward to Love (Dwell)’ is out now on all streaming platforms.
