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)