JOIN JOHN MYRTLE IN ‘THE LITTLE WORLD OF YOU AND ME’
Released earlier this month, London-based artist John Myrtle’s new album The Little World of You and Me is a captivating indie-folk record that’s perfect for ushering in the chill of autumn. Composed of three familiar singles: “The Dog Song,” “We’re Tearing the Heart out of Love,” and “How Do You Break a Heart?”, the album features five additional new songs that channel the same spirit of whimsy as Sir Paul McCartney’s Ram (seriously, what’s in the water across the pond?). The Little World of You and Me has everything a listener could want: songs about love, songs about heartbreak, charming guitar interludes, and most importantly, songs about dogs.
Truth be told, I hadn’t heard of John Myrtle prior to the announcement of his North American tour accompanying The Symposium. I was initially more excited that one of my favorite bands was finally returning to the East Coast, and I knew I’d be getting barricade for whatever show I attended. Of course, claiming a spot at the barricade for the main act also means a front-row seat for the opener. I know some people don’t enjoy waiting through the opening act, but I was excited to discover new and international music in the best way possible: live.
Myrtle’s set was electric—well, acoustic. His performance was intimate and quaint, played only with a left-handed acoustic guitar (southpaw representation!), a microphone, and enthusiastic audience participation. Enchanted by Myrtle’s preview of new songs throughout the performance, I was ecstatic when the full album dropped on September 5.
Opening the album, “The Dog Song” begins with quiet drums and an endearing dog bark. An acoustic guitar shortly follows, and Myrtle’s soft vocals soon fall into place. In this song, Myrtle perfectly captures his outlook on life: it’s just him and his dog, facing the world together. The song is positive, uplifting, and reassuring all at once, making you feel that with a companion by your side, no hardship is too big to overcome.
Up next, “How Do You Break a Heart?” manages to stay upbeat while tackling a more emotional subject: letting a lover down after realizing your feelings have faded. This song begins similarly to “The Dog Song,” though the opening drums are bolder, possibly hinting at the difficult times ahead.
The album’s title track, “The Little World of You and Me,” shifts Myrtle’s usual formula. This time, a finger-picked guitar sets the scene while the drums follow suit. The little world Myrtle describes is a utopia where he and his lover can be alone together, where “nothing here goes wrong.” However, it’s not as happy as it first seems. Listeners soon discover that Myrtle is alone in this imagined paradise, waiting eagerly for his lover to join him and hoping their feelings are mutual.
“Dog Bite” is a lyric-less interlude that gives the listener a moment to digest the previous songs before diving back in. It’s short and sweet, highlighting the importance of Myrtle’s instrumental work. Even without lyrics, the song feels distinctly his.
In “Hard to Believe,” Myrtle explores the pain of being kept at arm’s length by someone you love, recounting feelings of inadequacy within a relationship. Despite the melancholy lyrics, the song’s upbeat tone showcases Myrtle’s knack for pairing emotional depth with lighthearted melodies.
Next, “We’re Tearing the Heart out of Love” describes the quiet realization that something isn’t right in a relationship, carrying forward the moody themes of the previous track.
The tone darkens with “I’ve Spent Lifetimes Loving You,” which introduces a richer, moodier guitar sound reminiscent of Elliott Smith. Despite its melancholic instrumentation, the lyrics remain tender, with Myrtle expressing a love so deep it feels like it’s spanned multiple lifetimes.
“Dog Dreams,” another instrumental interlude, closes the album on a triumphant note. Full of the ambiance of a late summer morning, it captures the transitional feeling between seasons and leaves listeners with a sense of warmth and reflection.
If you like what you hear, you’re in luck. Tickets for the second leg of John Myrtle’s North American tour with The Symposium, as well as dates for his solo UK tour, are currently available on his website.