In this topical episode of Audio Deacon, we explor text painting - the art of shaping music to mirror the meaning of the words themselves. From Gregorian chant and Handel’s Messiah to The Beatles, Leonard Cohen, Punch Brothers, and modern pop and folk, this episode traces how composers and songwriters turn melody, rhythm, texture, and timing into storytelling tools. These “musical jokes”—sometimes obvious, sometimes subtle, invite listeners to hear more carefully and discover how music can preach, illustrate, and delight alongside the lyrics. Once you start noticing text painting, you're in on the joke.

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In today’s episode, we walk through five records that reward careful listening. We move from playful experimental pop-funk to modern minimalism and contemporary jazz, and ending with some grounded bluegrass and folk.

We begin with Lost in the Wonder from Cory Wong, a joyful, groove-heavy record filled with sharp playing, tasteful collaborations, and moments that invite you to lock in on rhythm and texture. From there, we take a quick stop with At Home in My Mind by Ellur, a raw and reflective pop album shaped by vulnerability, strong influences, and a young artist thinking out loud.

Next, we turn to Solo Three by Erik Hall, the final entry in a minimalist trilogy reimagining contemporary composers like Glenn Branca, Laurie Spiegel, and Steve Reich.

We then slow things down with Being, a clean and thoughtful jazz collaboration between saxophonist Chris Cheek and the Danish trio Human Being Human, a record that treats music-making as a shared act of humanity.

We close with Cheers to All the Lonely People from Zach White and Caleb Christopher Edwards. It's a sharp, joyful bluegrass and folk record rooted in real places, real stories, and the goodness of everyday life.

Featured Albums

Cory Wong — Lost in the Wonder
Apple Music | Spotify

Ellur — At Home in My Mind
Apple Music | Spotify

Erik Hall — Solo Three
Apple Music | Spotify

Human Being Human & Chris Cheek — Being
Apple Music | Spotify

Zach White & Caleb Christopher Edwards — Cheers to All the Lonely People
Apple Music | Spotify

In today’s episode, we walk through five records that reward careful listening, moving from playful experimental pop to pop rock, modern jazz collaboration, gentle folk songwriting, and a raucous mono-era classic. We begin with Colour Space Transform, a joyful and off-kilter EP from Group A.D. that blends texture, melody, and danceable energy.

We then turn to Boycott Heaven, The Format’s first full-length release in nearly twenty years, which is a punchy, guitar-driven record marked by frustration, reflection, and a complicated wrestling with religious language and belief. From there, we slow down with Scenes from Above by Julian Lage, a beautifully paced and collaborative jazz record featuring John Medeski, Jorge Roeder, and Kenny Wollesen.

We also briefly highlight Ever / Gold by Joshua Hyslop, a gentle and lived-in folk record perfect for everyday listening, before closing with a mono reissue of Together Again by Dion and the Belmonts, which is a loud, joyful, pre-autotune snapshot of American pop-rock at full tilt.

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Colour Space Transform — Group A.D. (Spotify / Apple Music)

Boycott Heaven — The Format (Spotify / Apple Music)

Scenes from Above — Julian Lage (Spotify / Apple Music)

Ever / Gold — Joshua Hyslop (Spotify / Apple Music)

Together Again — Dion and the Belmonts (Spotify / Apple Music)

In today’s episode, we walk through five recordings to start 2026 well, spanning instrumental rock, legacy songwriting, punk, acoustic covers, and laid-back folk-pop. We begin with Desert So Green by Winged Wheel, a patient, immersive instrumental project built on texture and momentum, followed by Peter Gabriel’s new single Been Undone, a reminder of his enduring curiosity and craft.

We also spend time with In Remembrance by Capillary, a clean, early-2000s-inspired punk debut; The Golden Heart Protector by Margaret Glaspy, a beautiful and intimate acoustic covers record; and My Second Last Album by Bahamas, one of the most charming and easy-to-live-with releases of 2025.

Winged Wheel — Desert So Green (Spotify / Apple Music)

Peter Gabriel — Been Undone (Spotify / Apple Music)

Capillary — In Remembrance (Spotify / Apple Music)

Margaret Glaspy — The Golden Heart Protector (Spotify / Apple Music)

Bahamas — My Second Last Album (Spotify / Apple Music)

This week we are joined by the great Jarrod Richey to talk about records and music listening, and boy did this brother deliver. We talk about everything from Brad Paisley, to Chris Stapleton, to Jacques Loussier and Bach. Enjoy!

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Jarrod Richey lives in Monroe, Louisiana, where he teaches music and choir at Geneva Academy in West Monroe. He’s deeply involved in training young musicians and teachers alike, serving as the Musicianship Levels 1–3 instructor for the Chenaniah Summer Music Institute, which he also oversees.

Jarrod is the founder and director of the Delta Youth Chorale, a community children’s choir focused on building real music literacy through singing, folk dance, and hands-on musical formation. Over the years, he’s taught voice, choir, and music appreciation at the University of Louisiana at Monroe and continues to work regularly as an elementary and middle-school choir clinician.

Each summer, Jarrod teaches solfege, folk dancing, and folk-song research as part of the Kodály teacher-training program at Chenaniah. He also serves on the executive board of the Louisiana chapter of the American Choral Directors Association and founded the Jubilate Deo Summer Music Camp — a week-long choir and music camp open to students from kindergarten through college freshmen.

He holds degrees from Louisiana Tech University and the University of Louisiana at Monroe, completed his national Kodály music teacher certification at Wichita State University, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Church Music and Worship at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Jarrod is the author of BACH to the Future: Fostering Music Literacy Today and the general editor of Raise the Song: A Classical Christian Guide to Music Education, as well as Let Joy Resound: A Singing School Hymnal for schools and families.

He and his wife Sarah are raising seven choristers-in-training, ages three to seventeen.

In today's episode, we're taking a look at Paul Hillier's great album of gratitude, Home to Thanksgiving.

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Use code audiodeacon3 for 3 free months!

________

Listen to the Album!

Paul Hillier: Home to Thanksgiving: Songs of Thanks and Praise
Apple Music
Spotify

__________________________

Links:
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Twitter
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We live in a world of music because the Creator is the God of music.

But in our age, musical enjoyment and participation has taken a severe nose-dive, resulting in reluctant music-makers and confused consumers.

Audio Deacon aims to correct this problem in our musical lives.

This podcast provides brief music reviews, lists of recordings, and interviews with thought leaders and musicians to teach maturing Christians how to listen to records and what music to consume in our modern age.

We also serve as a resource to parents, guiding them in modern music’s contents, glories, pitfalls, and conversations.

In today's episode, we're taking a look at 5 great records and a big announcement about the AD App!

The Audio Deacon App!
https://app.audio-deacon.com/
Use code audiodeacon3 for 3 free months!

________

Listen to the Albums!

Chris Thile: Bach: Sonatas and Partitas, Vol. 2
Apple Music
Spotify

Keith Jarrett: The Koln Concert (Live)
Apple Music
Spotify

Rosalia: Lux
Apple Music
Spotify

The Mountain Goats: Through This Fire Across from Peter Balkan
Apple Music
Spotify

Whitney: Small Talk
Apple Music
Spotify

__________________________

Links:
The Audio Deacon Substack
Twitter
Facebook

We live in a world of music because the Creator is the God of music.

But in our age, musical enjoyment and participation has taken a severe nose-dive, resulting in reluctant music-makers and confused consumers.

Audio Deacon aims to correct this problem in our musical lives.

This podcast provides brief music reviews, lists of recordings, and interviews with thought leaders and musicians to teach maturing Christians how to listen to records and what music to consume in our modern age.

We also serve as a resource to parents, guiding them in modern music’s contents, glories, pitfalls, and conversations.

In today's episode, we're taking a look at the 3 new records that will work beautifully in your fall album rotation.

Listen to the Albums!

Jacob Collier: The Light for Days
Apple Music
Spotify

Madison Cunningham: Ace
Apple Music
Spotify

Andrew Peterson: The Light for Days
Apple Music
Spotify

__________________________

Links:
The Audio Deacon Substack
Twitter
Facebook

We live in a world of music because the Creator is the God of music.

But in our age, musical enjoyment and participation has taken a severe nose-dive, resulting in reluctant music-makers and confused consumers.

Audio Deacon aims to correct this problem in our musical lives.

This podcast provides brief music reviews, lists of recordings, and interviews with thought leaders and musicians to teach maturing Christians how to listen to records and what music to consume in our modern age.

We also serve as a resource to parents, guiding them in modern music’s contents, glories, pitfalls, and conversations.