Written from the heart: Joe McLeod releases ‘Cloud Berries in Alaska’.
Written by: Emma Wallace
Equal parts joy and melancholy, Joe McLeod’s debut album Cloudberries in Alaska serves as a gentle meditation on the bittersweetness of life. Through his music, McLeod processes the passing of his father and reflects on how to find light in difficult times. One moment, he stands still and reflects on lost moments; the next, he focuses on the present and his blooming love. His rich indie-folk sound compliments this message, and his songwriting abilities shine through in his expression of hope and longing. What makes this album so unique is how deeply personal each track is: “1946”, for example, recounts the story of his family legacy and how his father built a life for his family in Ontario. This, along with vivid images of his Canadian home, make the listener feel as though they have been shown a slice of McLeod’s life. His down-to-Earth lyrics and soothing sound have made him a standout musician in the Canadian songwriting scene already – with Cloudberries in Alaska, it seems Joe McLeod is just getting started.