An Album a Day #2026-09

Notes

When I was 19 years old, I wrote some songs and recorded them in a tiny studio in Austin, TX. I remember feeling like each song was an urgent message that I had for the world, like each one was the product of a deep, emotional battle that had required a lot of growing up. A friend of mine randomly came across his copy of that CD, ripped it, and emailed it to me. It had probably been 25 years since I'd heard it, and all I could think when listening to it as a 40-year-old how naive and shallow the whole thing sounded.

Maya Delilah is 24 years old and clearly talented. But I felt something similar listening to The Long Way Round as I did to my own songs. Her lyrics are, without a doubt, better than mine ever were. Her potential is far greater than mine ever was. Still, the whole record has a bit of a teenage quality to it. I hope that doesn't come across as condescending or ageist. I think Maya may yet blossom into a phenomenal songwriter. But it is telling that the two songs I found the most listenable, "Begin Again" and "California," don't include her in the songwriting credits.

Three things I did enjoy about this record:

1. The recording quality is top notch. I particularly enjoyed the piano sound.
2. The instrumental duet "Jeffrey" with Cory Henry is the high point, and worth a listen.
3. Her guitar solos are the most mature and authentic sounding part of the record.

I might set a reminder to check back in another 5 or 10 years.

Listen

What is "An Album a Day"?

Each day in 2026, I'm listening to an album that:

1. I've never heard before
2. Was released in the last six months (from the time of listening)