The Beast In Its Tracks

Released in 2013, The Beast in Its Tracks marks a pivotal shift in Josh Ritter's career. Following the dissolution of his marriage to fellow musician Dawn Landes, Ritter abandoned his usual penchant for complex, third-person narratives in favor of raw, autobiographical songwriting. Recorded at The Great North Sound Society in Maine with long-time collaborator Sam Kassirer, the album was the result of an 18-month process during which Ritter discarded earlier, more aggressive material in favor of a more cathartic and gentle tone. Critics frequently compared the record to Bob Dylan's Blood on the Tracks and Beck's Sea Change due to its thematic focus on romantic dissolution. Despite its heavy subject matter, the album was noted for its surprising inclusion of 'new love' songs, documenting Ritter's transition into a new relationship. It remains his most intimate and sonically sparse full-length release, stripping back the 'Royal City Band' sound for a more focused, singer-songwriter aesthetic.