Phosphorescent - ‘Muchacho’ + Leather Hammock
Ingredients: 1 ounce mezcal reposado, 3/4 ounce Cocchi Vermouth di Torino, 1/3 ounce maraschino liqueur (like Luxardo), 3/4 ounce fresh orange juice, orange peel for garnish.
Mixing Instructions: Pour ingredients into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Add orange peel for garnish and serve. (via Gaz Regan)
Notes: This isn’t Matthew Houck’s first rodeo and the progression of his music in both sound and style testifies to this truth. His music has always been great, but Muchacho feels like it could be a breakout record for the Alabama native. Framed by a clear opening and closing track, Muchacho is meant to be heard as a whole. Don’t get me wrong, I could keep the stunning ‘Song for Zula’ and rhapsodic ‘Quotidian Beasts’ on repeat for all of eternity… but they serve as vivid highlights in an album that paints an entire creative canvas. Phosphorescent has a knack for beautiful lyrics, showing weakness, rage, vulnerability, and triumph in his storytelling… but on Muchacho we get a taste of how powerful those same feelings and emotions can be conveyed when paired with Houck’s best production work yet — a fullness of sound that envelopes you as you listen. Written largely while on a solo trip to Mexico, pair the album with an appropriate mezcal cocktail and celebrate the work of someone who truly cares about their craft.