Singer-songwriter Stephen Mugford is covering our hearts with a touching new release, "Easy To Love (Live)," the latest single off his jazz-indebted debut LP, "Palooza Beach." Released back in September of 2024, the studio cut served as an introduction to a warm, melodiously charming world. Now Mugford strips things back to the bare essentials, mining an intimacy that registers as both unguarded and deeply personal.
Inspired by a deep love story in Mugford's life, "Easy To Love (Live)" carries the soft gravity of truth. It will be one of four live singles to be released this fall, each one giving a closer look at the soul behind the songs. By stripping away the layers, Mugford illuminates openness, connection, and the imperfect beauty of love at the core of his music.
"It was a chance to capture the less filtered, raw feelings that all of these songs emanate from. I love the produced versions, but these are simpler and more raw expressions of the deep emotions that were at the centre of each of them," says Mugford. The song takes call from the upbeat optimism of Jason Mraz, the melodic storytelling genius of Paul McCartney, and the inviting acoustic comfort of Willie Nelson. The sincerity of his performance is such that each note and lyric continues to echo long.
"Easy To Love (Live)" has all the makings of a classic piece of music, at home on wedding playlists, long drives, and quiet evenings. Stripped down, the arrangement serves only to amplify the song's real lyrical content and, more importantly, the passion in Mugford's voice. For anyone who cherishes an honest story and acoustic openness, Stephen Mugford's live take is an invitation to live closer, feel more deeply, and remember what it's like to be easy to love.
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