Part of the Light

Released in 2018, 'Part of the Light' marks a significant point in Ray LaMontagne's career as he took over full production duties. Recorded at his home studio in Massachusetts, the album serves as a bridge between the raw folk of his early work and the sprawling psychedelic experimentation of 'Ouroboros'. Sonically, it is heavily indebted to the 1970s, specifically the atmospheric folk-rock of artists like Pink Floyd and the Moody Blues. The album is anchored by the lead single 'Such a Simple Thing', which returned to the stripped-back, soulful intimacy that first made him famous, while tracks like 'To the Sea' and 'Goodbye Blue Sky' showcase his growing interest in long-form, reverb-drenched arrangements. Critics noted the album's cohesive mood and LaMontagne's ability to balance his signature gravelly vocal delivery with more expansive, ethereal soundscapes. It stands as one of his most self-assured and sonically consistent records, emphasizing texture and atmosphere over radio-friendly pop structures.