Stugill Simpson Vs. Johnny Blue Skies

Passage Du Desir is an album that’s hard to categorize. It’s undeniably weird, but then again, so is Sturgill Simpson. His influence on modern Americana and country music is significant, with pivotal albums like Metamodern Sounds in Country Music (2014) and  A Sailor’s Guide to Earth (2016). His bluegrass ventures, Cuttin’ Grass Vol. 1 & 2, further cemented his versatility and acclaim.

With that said, Simpson’s distaste for being pigeonholed into the country genre is well-documented. This aversion is reflected in his bold, artsy projects, such as the genre-blending Sound & Fury(2019), which was accompanied by a full-length Netflix anime. His new persona, Johnny Blue Skies, seems like a natural evolution in his quest to explore and defy musical boundaries.

Considering Simpson’s body of work, it’s clear that the transition to Johnny Blue Skies is a calculated and fitting move. Sturgill Simpson, as we knew him, has evolved, possibly retired, leaving room for this new chapter unbound by musical labels. The man has made it clear: he’ll play what he wants, when he wants, and how he pleases. Enter Passage Du Desir.

Final Thoughts

While many critics hail Passage Du Desir as a brilliant continuation of Simpson’s work and an obvious follow-up to A Sailor’s Guide to Earth, I find myself at odds with this consensus. The praise feels somehwhat overblown. Yes, Simpson is a musical genius, but this album feels like another experimental venture with both highs and lows. Each track, while unapologetically long, says something profound and stays dynamically rich, but it’s not the literary masterpiece some claim it to be. Such reviews seem pretentious and disingenuous, as if they just want to virute signal, “I get it”. Sometimes, less is more.

I get it too, Sturgill is the GOAT, and he is. I understand his motivation to blend everything together—pop, rock, country, and orchestral moments that come crashing down, adding the much-needed weight to the project. But he’s done that, over and over again. Much of this album sounds like a jam band closing out a music festival at 3 in the morning.

Despite my slight criticisms, Passage Du Desir is still a solid album that gives the world more of what it wants: more Sturgill Simpson. With his “couldn’t care less” attitude, Sturgill Simpson, or Johnny Blue Skies, is now and will always be a national treasure. He does whatever the fuck he wants, whether it be “punk rock” or “outlaw country”…It’s the attitude behind the music that makes him so damn prolific and entertaining.

Album Release: July 12, 2024

Favorite Tracks: Who I Am