Tom Moriarty's fifth album, Chapters, is fresh, confident, and full of purpose, with Moriarty expanding his sound while keeping the songwriting front and center.
The biggest talking point here is the electric guitar. Moriarty has built his reputation on acoustic folk-rock, but Chapters introduces a harder edge that suits the material surprisingly well.
Album opener "The Enemy Inside" gets things moving straight away, pairing driving guitars with a vocal performance that carries plenty of weight. It's one of several tracks that give the album a welcome sense of urgency.
That extra energy never comes at the expense of the songs themselves. "On the Road Again" is a highlight, capturing the excitement of life spent traveling and performing, while tracks like "She's Like the River" and "One Day" show that Moriarty is just as effective when he dials things back.
Elsewhere, "You Are My Island" offers one of the album's standout guitar performances, revealing another side of Moriarty's musicianship. Considering this is the first time he's featured electric lead guitar so prominently on one of his records, it's an impressive addition rather than a passing experiment.
The supporting musicians bring plenty to the table too, adding organ, violin, backing vocals, and a rhythmic backbone that gives the songs extra depth without overcrowding them.
What stands out most about Chapters is how natural this evolution feels. The album broadens Moriarty's musical palette while staying rooted in the storytelling that has always been at the heart of his work. It's an engaging, well-crafted collection that rewards a full listen and marks an exciting new phase in his career.
Connect with Tom Moriarty: Instagram
