Review | “Meadowlands” by John Rupp

A smooth fusion of blissful guitar instrumentals and impeccably curated influences

Embroidering a delicate filigree of meditative acoustic lace, this beautiful record is the second release by John Rupp, who is based in Cincinnati, Ohio

Starring Rupp's graceful playing, “Meadowlands” is primarily a guitar album, crafted with such care for detail and sonic intelligence that the moody, atmospheric result belies its simple origins.

The plucking, strumming, picking, and riffing are treated in various manners and effects: twangs and jangles echo, glide, and slide across sparse yet evocative orchestrations, most of which are deeply layered.

Flecks of Ry Cooder, Pat Metheny, or even Vini Reilly glint seductively in the delicate embroidery of this elaborate instrumental tapestry.

Subtle tonal backgrounds, string pads, or fragmented riffs are some of the incidental sounds accompanying the main instruments, always in harmony, making for a layered but considered production that ultimately diffuses the pastoral soundscapes in a soft psychedelic light.

Full of captivating surprises, the compositions sometimes flow organically, like a dueling solo of two guitars in gentle dialogue, while in other tracks Rupp introduces pleasantly unpredictable, yet always discrete, ambient sounds, like neoclassical piano passages, violin solos, or even soft synth stabs and field recordings, all of which add an exotic touch to the folksy proceedings. This adventurous spark delights with its effervescent playfulness.

Considering Rupp's first record was a 5 track EP of Covers, featuring his mellow, somber voice interpreting standards from the blues/rock songbook, Meadowlands (surely a future classic) must count as the real John Rupp solo debut – and a very compelling one it is.

Text written by Panagiotis Chatzistefanou, Berlin, January 2024