Jacob Cummings, the LA-based producer and multi-instrumentalist, steps into the spotlight with his debut solo album, Southern & Enlightened, a poignant exploration of family, loss, and nostalgia. Known for his instrumental works, Slow Paradise (2020) and Fishing from Heaven (2021), this record is a significant departure—it’s his first to feature vocals, adding a new layer of vulnerability and intimacy to his artistry.
The album is a love letter to Cummings’ roots in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, and the house that shaped his childhood. The story behind its creation is as compelling as the music itself: Cummings spent a month in his late grandmother’s home before its demolition, sifting through belongings and recording the album. The result is a deeply atmospheric work, capturing the textures of memory—creaking wood floors, salt-tinged air, and the rhythm of Atlantic waves.
Musically, Southern & Enlightened blends indie folk’s heartfelt simplicity with experimental flourishes that nod to LA’s psychedelic scene. Yet, it retains a distinctly coastal vibe, evoking comparisons to artists like Real Estate and Beach House. The arrangements feel organic and rich, a perfect complement to the album’s reflective themes.
The lead single, “Big Ol’ Deer,” is a standout. It’s a quietly stunning indie folk track that pairs delicate acoustic guitar with lyrics steeped in longing and transformation. The song’s raw emotion and expansive soundscape call to mind the introspection of Bon Iver or the warmth of Pinegrove.
Adding a visual dimension, Southern & Enlightened is accompanied by a video project directed by Cummings himself. Shot in Florida, it mirrors the tactile and nostalgic quality of the album, bringing its themes of place and time to vivid life.
With Southern & Enlightened, Jacob Cummings delivers more than an album—it’s an emotional journey through the echoes of the past and the beauty of holding on to what’s fleeting. It’s a record that feels as timeless as the house that inspired it, marking a brilliant new chapter in Cummings’ career.
