Long Way Home is the ninth studio album by American singer-songwriter Ray LaMontagne. It was released on August 16, 2024, by LaMontagne's own record label Liula Records with distribution by Thirty Tigers. The album was co-produced by LaMontagne and Seth Kauffman.[1]
| Long Way Home | ||||
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| Released | August 16, 2024 | |||
| Length | 31:32 | |||
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Background
editLong Way Home was announced on May 30, 2024, alongside its release date of August 16, 2024. The album is LaMontagne's first to be released independently after his previous albums were released by RCA Records in the United States.[2]
Promotion
editThe album was preceded by the release of three singles. The lead single, "Step Into Your Power", was released on June 5, 2024.[2] It topped Billboard's Adult Alternative Airplay chart in August 2024, becoming LaMontagne's third single to top the chart.[3] The album's title track was released as the second single on June 28, 2024.[4] The third and final single, "I Wouldn't Change a Thing", was released on July 26, 2024.[5]
Critical reception
editNo Depression wrote in their review of Long Way Home: "When Ray LaMontagne debuted two decades ago, his weathered tenor sounded otherworldly. Its power seemed unlikely from such a shy, subdued performer. Now entrenched in middle age, the New England singer-songwriter’s instrument is no less sonorous or wondrous. He has just grown into it. LaMontagne sounds more comfortable, and contented, than ever on his ninth studio album, Long Way Home."[6] When The Horn Blows deemed the album LaMontagne's "most reflective" and "honest" of his repertoire.[7] Riff Magazine praised the album for its versatility, highlighting tracks such as "Yearning", in which that it recalls Bob Dylan's albums Nashville Skyline and Blood on the Tracks, "And They Called Her California", and "The Way Things Are", the latter two of which the publication compared to the works of Joni Mitchell.[8]
Track listing
editAll tracks are written by Ray LaMontagne.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Step Into Your Power" | 3:28 |
| 2. | "I Wouldn't Change a Thing" | 3:51 |
| 3. | "Yearning" | 4:03 |
| 4. | "And They Called Her California" | 3:57 |
| 5. | "La De Dum, La De Da" | 2:43 |
| 6. | "My Lady Fair" | 3:40 |
| 7. | "The Way Things Are" | 4:03 |
| 8. | "So, Damned, Blue" (Instrumental) | 1:46 |
| 9. | "Long Way Home" | 4:01 |
| Total length: | 31:32 | |
Personnel
edit- Ray LaMontagne – acoustic guitars, production, mixing, engineering (all tracks); vocals (tracks 1–7, 9), harmony vocals (1–4), bass (2–4, 6, 7), percussion (2), organ (3, 5, 6); drums, harmonica (4)
- Seth Kauffman – production, mixing, engineering (all tracks); Mellotron (tracks 1, 3, 6), electric guitar (1, 4); bass, percussion (1, 5, 8, 9); drums (1), strings (3, 6, 9), conga (3), backing vocals (4), textures (5, 6, 8), tambourine (6), mbira (7)
- Brian Lee – mastering
- Bob Jackson – mastering
- Ariel Bernstein – drums (tracks 1–3, 6)
- Laura Rogers – backing vocals (tracks 1–3)
- Lydia Slagle – backing vocals (tracks 1–3)
- Carl Broemel – pedal steel (track 2)
- Michael Naij – backing vocals (track 4)
- Jacob Rodriguez – horns (track 6)
- Barbara S. Beck – cover illustration
- Meghan Foley – art direction, design
References
edit- ^ Moderelli, Rob (June 3, 2024). "Ray LaMontagne Unveils Ninth Studio Album 'Long Way Home,' Plots US Headline Tour". Relix Media. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
- ^ a b Siroky, Mary (May 30, 2024). "Ray LaMontagne Announces New Album, 2024 Tour Dates". Consequence. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
- ^ Rutherford, Kevin (August 9, 2024). "Ray LaMontagne's 'Step Into Your Power' Tops Adult Alternative Airplay Chart". Billboard. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
- ^ "Ray LaMontagne unveils second single "Long Way Home" taken from highly anticipated studio album 'Long Way Home' out August 16". Grateful Web. June 28, 2024. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
- ^ Sharpe, Josh (July 26, 2024). "Ray LaMontagne Unveils New Single 'I Wouldn't Change A Thing'". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
- ^ "ALBUM REVIEW: Ray LaMontagne Sounds Content in His Journey to 'Long Way Home'". No Depression. August 13, 2024. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
- ^ Dewdney, Doug (August 15, 2024). "Album Review: Ray Lamontagne - 'Long Way Home'". When the Horn Blows. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
- ^ Herwitz, Jesse (August 11, 2024). "ALBUM REVIEW: Ray LaMontagne steps back into his power on 'Long Way Home'". RIFF Magazine. Retrieved September 17, 2024.