After a few notes in opening track The Thing you feel that you are in for an entertaining listen once again. When after fifteen seconds that characteristic voice of Pokey LaFarge joins in, you know for sure. His latest long-player Rent Money makes it happen, rummaging through a treasure trove of vintage rock ‘n’ roll, country, gospel, blues, soul, jazz, and ragtime. Ostensibly it led to a cheerful atmosphere, but the swinging rhythms and sunny choruses go together with lyrics that expose a darker reality, casting a wary eye over the mess we’ve made of modern life.

After two decades of going his own way, the American troubadour makes it sound easy, with eleven new songs that don’t miss a beat. Yes, he has skilled friends and a rich instrumentation around him, but everything here has the unmistakable Pokey LaFarge stamp that gives this record so much character. Still, there are some surprises that take it to the next level, such as the poppy funk in Stick Together, the heartfelt reggae in Work, and the beautiful soul in Told You No. Amazing.

Rent Money—produced by Elliot Bergman—is out digitally, on CD and vinyl LP, through Boxer Boy Records. Featuring Pokey LaFarge (vocals, guitar), with Addie Hamilton (background vocals), Erik Miron (guitar, trumpet background vocals), Alex Hall (drums , percussion, tambourine, marimba, tympani), Beau Sample (electric bass, upright bass), Elliot Bergman (drums, background vocals, handclaps, percussion, bass, sax, organ, clarinet, flute), Hank Mehren (piano, organs, background vocals), Ben Lumsdaine (percussion), Nicholas Baker (congas, percussion), and Natalie Bergman (background vocals).

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