Track listing: Anything That's Real, Blink Into Oblivion, Wolves, Calling for Change

In my November '25 review of TJ Gurn's single "Today" I made a Ray LaMontagne reference. It's not even that their voices are similar--there's just a vibe, a sensation, something intangible that brings about a comparable level of enjoyment from their music. So, yeah, I can't really use another R.L. ref in this review of TJ's latest, an EP entitled Callin', lest I just copy/paste those same comments. So let's look into Callin' with a fresh set of eyes and ears.

TJ writes songs that embody the cool, fresh Salt Lake City air where they're composed. You simultaneously feel the warmth of the summer sun in an open plain along with the chill of a fresh snowstorm comin' in off the Wasatch Mountains. 

"Anything That's Real" is gorgeous--layers of violins and backing vocals give the track its spacious feel; the drums are set just far enough back in the mix to keep it from rockin' too much, but loud enough to maintain momentum. "Blink Into Oblivion" comes at you with a more mysterious, almost menacing approach. The heavily reverb'd & delayed lead guitar channel early sounds of The Edge. I find the song's darker tones compelling--barebones breakdowns, using feedback as an instrument, and a soaring, pleading vocal--in stark contrast to its predecessor.

Interestingly, "Wolves" blends the emotions put forth by tracks 1 & 2. Hints of optimism are tempered with a soft distortion and a powerful, driving chorus. And then, well, every recording needs its single, right? Callin' presents this in the form of "Calling for Change." Gurns blasts a huge Hozier-esque vocal in the chorus. You've got the uptempo, head-bopping backbeat throughout the verses contrasted against the massive half-time choruses. "Calling for Change" is a nice cherry on top of an already solid record.

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