By Sarah Fortsch 
There are few who can articulate the interior life shot through with emotionality like Simon Joyner in contemporary music. Coyote Butterfly is yet another chapter in this, solidifying him as a modern master in storytelling through raw emotions. This Simon Joyner album gives a reflective overview, with each tune holding, alternately, nuggets of wise disputation, layers of Simon Joyner’s lyrics, and a lush, timeless backdrop.
Out of the Ashes, A Little Bit Different
For quite a while now, Simon Joyner has been well-known for taking the sorrows and joys of life and setting them to music. Coyote Butterfly is Simon Joyner’s collection that bridges the raw emotional essence of earlier works with a wider sonic exploration. Each song unfolds like a vulnerable love letter, equally a confession and a solace from heartendingly beautiful melodies. This Simon Joyner album review urges the listener to find that aspect of their being capable of holding on.
Though enmeshed in grief and resolution, this does not ever venture into the realm of despair. Instead, Joyner casts his narratives as glimmers of hope and endurance, allowing listeners to wrestle with emotions they may wish to escape instead. And his weathered yet warm voice is perfectly appropriate to render these songs vulnerable.
Standout Tracks
In “Blue Eyes Behind the Stars,” the opener, haunting melodies tinted by a scanty instrumentation set the entire aura for the album. Joyner’s ability to delineate those intense emotional sceneries is visible in each line. Meanwhile, “The Faintest Hint of Light” stands to be another highlight of the album; a candle enough, a slow-burning anthem for the grieved—its lyrics pushing for true sentiments, just what yielded Simon Joyner’s ear.
One track that stands out is “Wings in the Wind” showcases Simon Joyner’s ability to collaborate. The soaring instrumentation and harmonies go beyond what one can imagine. his band elevate the song to something transcendent. It’s a testament to how much his artistry thrives when supported by like-minded musicians, as heard throughout his catalog on platforms like Simon Joyner Bandcamp.
Simon Joyner Lyrics
Once again, the Simon Joyner lyrics make up the core of his music. Coyote Butterfly slices right into the human experience with raw honesty, probing into subjects of love, loss, and time. Lines like “We measure our lives in fleeting glimpses/A moment that never stays” will echo long after the last note has sounded.
Those who love Joyner’s previous records will find his lyrical storytelling in this album reminiscent of the deeply emotional purgation found in “Lousy Dance.” For sure, this song does not belong to Coyote Butterfly, but we can still perceive its influence through Joyner’s deep-digging exploration of vulnerability and connection (check out the deep diving piece “Simon Joyner Lousy Dance Lyrics” for more).
Collaborative Spirit
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect about this album is how it manages to merge Joyner’s singular voice with that of his collaborators. It’s certainly lush-but never overbearing-arrangements placed alongside the poetry of his lyrics. This delicate interchange between sparse playing and greater color shows just how much care Simon and the band took in putting together Coyote Butterfly. The production gives it a kind of “finished in the lab” feel that provides a honesty rarely found in our current musical climate.
Conclusion
Coyote Butterfly is a success for Simon Joyner. It addresses the fragility of life and celebrates its beauty, an invitation to listeners for self-reflection, mourning, and healing. Newcomers or old-timers to Joyner, this Simon Joyner album review lays out why this project will stay with you for a long time to come.
For those who have an interest and want to explore more of Joyner, Simon Joyner Bandcamp is laden with lyrical splendor and emotional storytelling. With Coyote Butterfly, Joyner reminds us why he remains one of the most compelling voices in modern music, his lyrics an enduring testament to the power of vulnerability and resilience.