After an ill-considered detour into world music on his 2014 album Good-bye Lizelle, former Jayhawk Mark Olson has moved back to more familiar ground with 2017's Spokeswoman of the Bright Sun. Like Good-bye Lizelle, Spokeswoman finds Olson collaborating with his wife and musical partner, Norwegian musician Ingunn Ringvold, and while the subtle twang of his work with the Jayhawks is largely absent, most of this music falls somewhere between contemporary folk and sunny pastoral pop, with a melodic sense that should feel familiar to anyone who has spent time with Olson's work. The performances are dominated by acoustic guitars, with electric instruments adding counterpoint and Ringvold adding additional colors on the Mellotron, with the simulated strings adding a shade of Baroque pop to the mix. Considering that the bulk of the album was recorded in Olson and Ringvold's living room using a portable recording unit, Spokeswoman sounds remarkably lush, with John Schreiner's mix sounding at once airy and richly detailed, making the most of Olson and Ringvold's harmonies. Spokeswoman of the Bright Sun sounds great, and Olson's lyrics are full of his usual meditations on life, love, and spirituality. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

1		Dear Elizabeth
2		Time of Love
3		Spokeswoman of the Bright Sun
4		Mary Francis
5		Seminole Valley Tea Sipper Society
6		You Are All
7		Gravity Loss
8		Nicola
9		All My Days
10		Death Valley Soda Pop Cool Down Dream
11		Mark Olson - Spokeswoman of the bright Sun - Digital Booklet