El Turista (Bonus Track Version)

Josh Rouse the world traveler has settled in Spain. El Turista is the sound of a man well settled in the surroundings he first suggested several albums ago, offering songs that showcase his transition. Nearly half of El Turista is performed in Spanish, and Rouse has taken to the flamenco guitar to further boost his acclimation process. The bossa nova beats and gentle string arrangements create a lush life that despite its struggles sounds quite rewarding. “Bienvenido” opens the album with an instrumental as an easeful introduction. “Duerme” kickstarts with piano notes poking through the bossa-nova groove and Rouse sings in Spanish. On the English-sung, rockabilly-spiked and Paul Simon- influenced “I Will Live On Islands,” he lets us know, “I’ll you send you postcards, boys,” as further proof that the Nebraskan-born singer-songwriter isn’t looking to rejoin the rat race anytime soon. But not quite so fast — the punch line here is that he recorded much of the album in Nashville, Tennessee with his old producer Brad Jones and together they create this wonderful illusion. You can go anywhere with your imagination.