Joseph Arthur is a singer-songwriter. Modern. Not anachronistic. Joseph doesn't put on airs of pre/post/simil folk, because a singer-songwriter is NOT just someone with an acoustic guitar and a harmonica in their mouth trying to be Dylan at all costs (got it, Bright Eyes?).
You can be a singer-songwriter even with a band behind you. With vocal harmonies. With sometimes overflowing arrangements. By experimenting.
On the surface, Joseph Arthur reminds me of Leonard Cohen... it's just a feeling, the two are different, the first lacks the historical-literary-religious references of the second, but they share the ability to speak to you directly, to leave you disoriented while they painfully confess.
When you listen to a song by Joseph, it seems like it was written just for you, as if only he understood you, as if you had said, "I can't find the words to express what I'm feeling, help me".
This album has all of this, I detest reviews that delve into technical details about the songs...
All the songs on the album have as a common element wonderful fresh and captivating melodies that give the entire record an instant catchiness from the very first listen.
Redemption's Son has all the characteristics of a great classic. An absolute masterpiece.