Heartmind

Heartmind, released in 2022, represents a pivotal moment in Cass McCombs' discography, serving as a profound exploration of loss and memory following the deaths of several close friends and collaborators, including Neal Casal and Justin Townes Earle. Recorded across multiple locations including Brooklyn and Burbank, the album moves away from the more experimental, jagged edges of his earlier work toward a refined, hi-fi sound that draws heavily from classic 1970s singer-songwriter traditions and sophisticated adult contemporary pop. The record is notable for its varied palette, ranging from the upbeat, meta-pop of 'Karaoke' to the sprawling, psychedelic folk of the title track. Critics noted the album's ability to balance heavy lyrical themes of grief and social commentary with some of the most accessible and melodic arrangements of McCombs' career. It stands as a testament to his growth as a composer, blending his signature nomadic storytelling with a new, vulnerable emotional clarity.