This album is perhaps historic in that it represents my first experimental concept record that might darn well be approaching halfway decent.

Each March, i embark on a musical challenge that i call Joe's Concept Album Month (JoCoAlbMo) in which i attempt to create a full-length concept record end-to-end in 31 days. Unlike 2016's epicly cathartic process-work manifesto, or last year's arguably unlistenable digital glitch experiment thrown together in 16 hours, i set out this year to create a more accessible album featuring more traditional songwriting and common contemporary instrumentation. As always, time limitations forced upon me some hard choices, unwanted omissions, and painful production sacrifices. ... but also as always, the experience was a terrifically rewarding reminder of the joy of creating music.

Even beyond that, however, this year's album was special. Leaning more heavily on traditional songwriting pushed my limits to create more "believable" material, forcing me to turn around palatable rock tunes much more quickly than i usually do in my non-experimental writing. I also took on a few new items just for fun, like my first jazz chart (partially inspired by an experiment in randomization), the completion of an upbeat folk-rock fragment i started years ago, a unique cover, a nearly entirely improvised jam, and a loop-based a cappella tune. Despite some challenges along the way, this year's effort not only revitalized my interest in making music, but gave me some renewed confidence that i maybe even have some skill at it.

All of this, interestingly enough, came in spite of this year's intended concept. The original inspiration for Let Go Harder was born out of the exhausting completion of my first JoCoAlbMo record, "An Ocean", in 2016. The intention was to open up the creative windows even further, letting loose an album based largely on improvisation, sound play, and off-the-cuff songwriting. As i mused on the concept, however, it took on a life of its own, suggesting songs with clear messages about the importance of artistic freedom, the transcendence of the world's troubled state, and the interesting common theme that unites the two. Signposted by its three-part pseudo-title-track, the album touches upon all of these in turn, encouraging struggling artists and non-artists alike to take to heart the core message that started it all: Let go. ... harder.

In retrospect, it's easy to be at once very pleased and very troubled by this album. While i'm incredibly happy with the songs that i was able to write and render within the challenge's parameters, it's tough to have an album this close to "mainstream" without taking just a little more time to refine it. Every imperfect note i didn't have time to retake, or every sound issue i couldn't catch while mixing on crummy headphones, begs for the little bit of attention it would require to bring the record closer to the professional quality that i've enjoyed on more serious projects of years past. Despite the temptation, i try to take solace in the idea that this album is a just a step along my way -- an encouraging indicator of more exciting works to come -- and that it is, in its own way, perfect.

With that faith in hand, i hereby release it exactly as it was rendered at the close of JoCoAlbMo 2018, and take a bit of my own advice to let go.


For a better sample of my musical efforts when i actually have time to pay attention to performance and production, check out my former eclectic rock project at northmusic1.bandcamp.com or thenorthwebsite.com .

For more about the annual creative challenge formerly known as Joe’s Concept Album Month, check out incoalmo.com .