8/10

For Jon Bryant, his new album 'Harbour' arrives during a period of enormous personal change: a return to his native Nova Scotia, fatherhood on the horizon, and a renewed commitment to the stripped-back alt-folk that first shaped him as a songwriter. The result is the sound of an artist finally trusting the instincts he spent years questioning.

Co-produced with longtime friend Brennan Aerts, the album leans into acoustic instrumentation, clear arrangements and his quietly expressive vocal style. Nothing feels overworked, as the songs are given enough space for their emotional weight to emerge naturally.

Lead single 'Hard to Be Human' captures that beautifully. Written around his concern that people are becoming increasingly disconnected from one another, the song turns social unease into something compassionate. Its message is simple but effective: fear and division may be everywhere, but they don't have to be the final word.

Elsewhere, he looks much more directly at himself, as 'See You Through' reflects on his brief involvement with NXIVM and the lessons he took from being drawn towards promises of belonging and self-improvement before recognising the warning signs. But rather than sensationalising the experience, he uses it as a way to think about trust, authenticity and the importance of listening to your instincts.

While 'Take Heart', featuring Rose Betts, is even more personal. The song looks back at the distance he created between himself and his younger brothers as a teenager, confronting regret without trying to soften it. Betts' ethereal vocal adds a tender counterpoint, giving the track a sense of reconciliation without pretending the past can simply be rewritten.

Jon Bryant has spent years moving between styles, questioning his place in music and, at one stage, seriously considering walking away altogether. But 'Harbour' feels like the answer to that crisis.

The record is ultimately about returning to the places, people and musical instincts that still feel true after everything else has fallen away. Jon Bryant has not just found his way home; he sounds truly grateful to be there.