Miwi La Lupa’s last album was released in September 2016 but his sound is sure to remain timeless.

Miwi La Lupa is a New York musician, a multi-instrumentalist and an amazing vocalist. Him and his crew, who he calls his “wolf pack”, use their albums to tell compelling stories about love, politics, and the human experience. Miwi’s latest album “Beginners Guide” is an incredible culmination of his previous albums, with a fresh perspective and thoughtful, unexpected sampling.

Beginner’s Guide begins with the track “Beginner’s Guide” a very warm, Jack Johnson-esque track that introduces the listener to a beautiful narrative. He empowers people that are starting new paths in their lives, and sings a sweet series of tips on how to start their new life. Miwi talks about packing your things up early, and then straying into all the things that you can do. He composes a beautiful depiction of people in all occupations and walks of life, and includes a not-so-subtle nod to young people, saying that it is “time to complement the millenials”. The song is gentle and genuine, but folded over a somewhat quick jazz and piano beat that compels the listener to get up and take action. It was certainly the best way to start the album, and it makes you lean into whatever is up next.

“A Little Bit of Both” strongly follows the opener, you’re greeted with intense percussion and vocals that linger much longer. In a musical sense, it contrasts the first song gorgeously. Here, you’re hearing a repetitive line played under the rest of the song: a plea from Miwi for a likely lover to tell the truth. He wants addiction, sobriety, a playground, office space. It’s a stubborn track that is maybe too familiar to young, indecisive people. The next song, “Plagued by Rules” is an odd follow up to the flow of the album. It is a ballad of a young man that is overwhelmed with the world around him changing. He is immature and frustrated that things are moving on when he doesn’t feel like he is advancing.

The second half of the album feels like a return after an intermission. “Overcast Man” kicks down the door with its rock emphasis. The immature man is having a coming of age and is undoing his confusion with discovery. Miwi finds optimism in a sea of misfortune, as “the sun comes peeking through a cloudy day prediction”. A wailing guitar greets the next song, and the main character is losing his innocence and childhood beliefs. Even if he is good, the people around him who are bad will still find their place. “Refreshments” is definitely a song of confusion and defeat, he understands love but wishes he didn’t.

“The Bright Side” is a pessimistic narrative of someone who took responsibility for their actions and is paying for it. It is a possible social commentary of the laws on drugs, and how friends and family will gossip and witch hunt people they claimed to love. It is another song of mourning, and another song telling a story that is much too common with young people today. The final song in Beginners Guide is a duet, a realization of love between close friends. Their other friends acknowledge their bond, but for some reason, it is not in their best interest to be together in this moment. “If You Let Me” is asking permission to be together, but of course, it is complicated.

Beginners Guide is definitely a culmination of modern struggles in relation to personal and interpersonal development. The themes are disheartening but the way that Miwi La Lupa pulls it off is indescribable. Despite the struggle, each song has at least a few major chords that display optimism. The tone of this album is absolutely warm. This is a unique piece of music that people can honestly, genuinely relate to. Artists that become vulnerable to their listeners will always create better music, and that is what Miwi La Lupa achieved