All the Light Above It Too

All the Light Above It Too, released in 2017, represents a pivotal moment in Jack Johnson's discography where his environmental activism and personal reflections on the US political landscape took center stage. Recorded at his solar-powered Mango Tree Studio in Hawaii, the album's production is notably 'pure' - Johnson initially recorded these tracks as demos, playing most instruments himself, and decided to keep the raw takes rather than over-polishing them with his full band. This 'sketches-as-songs' approach was guided by producer Robbie Lackritz. The album was heavily influenced by Johnson's work on the documentary 'The Smog of the Sea,' which focuses on microplastic pollution, leading to the centerpiece track 'Fragments.' While critics were divided on his foray into political lyricism (particularly on 'My Mind Is for Sale'), the album successfully debuted at #1 on the Billboard Americana/Folk chart, proving the enduring appeal of his minimalist, organic sound even when tackling heavier themes.