M.C. Taylor’s Knack for Modern Nostalgia

With I’m People, M.C. Taylor manages a rare feat: staying fiercely loyal to the roots of his Americana-folk lineage while delivering a record that feels vibrantly new. It is a collection of songs for those who crave the analog warmth of the 60s and 70s folk-psychedelic-soul era but find themselves navigating the digital friction of the colder modern age.

Sound & Atmosphere: Fullness Without Clutter

The most impressive element of I’m People is the thoughtful management of sonic space. Taylor has curated a dense guest list of instruments, including horns, woodwinds, strings, and keys, yet the album never feels overcrowded.

Instrumentation shifts seamlessly between acting as an atmospheric background hum and stepping forward as the driving rhythmic force providing texture that is intentional in all of the right places. 

You’ll find overdriven guitars and driving bass lines on some tunes that provide grit and energy, which is balanced by the use of melodic orchestral leads and hand percussion that lends a "sitting around a crackling fire" intimacy to other tracks. The album is the sound of a conversation with old friends where the music is the primary voice.

While the album is largely a "bob and sway" affair rooted in heavy grooves, Taylor isn't afraid to let loose. Every so often, a fuzzed-out guitar solo cuts through the air, demanding a visceral “stank face” reaction.

The Gospel of the Groove

The album breathes through a beautiful call-and-response dynamic between Taylor’s vocals and the lead instrument lines. This is further strengthened by gospel-style background vocals and non-lexical vocables that add a spiritual depth to the arrangements.

The production by Taylor and co-producer Josh Kaufman is a lesson in restraint. The drums are muted and earthy, providing a heartbeat rather than a hammer, and the bass guitar is light, melodic, and constantly moving. The album masters the difficult dichotomy of being soft when it needs to be soft and heavy when it needs to be heavy, often within the span of a single track. 

The Vibe: Golden Hour Personified

Listening to I’m People feels like revisiting a pleasant childhood memory, evoking a nostalgic feeling: the glare of the sun during golden hour just before the streetlights flick on to call you home.

Whether you are waking up with a morning coffee, hitting the open road, or decompressing at the end of a long day, these songs provide a landscape that is easy to settle into. It is fundamentally uplifting music, radiating messages of love, togetherness, and unyielding positivity.

Standout Tracks

If you’re looking for the heart of the record, start here:

"Shaky Eyes" & "Mercy Avenue": Perfect examples of the album's rhythmic pull.

"Seneca (Time is a Mother, Baby)": A poignant exploration of Taylor's lyrical themes.

"Gabriel" & "Spirit Cat": Showcasing the record's rich, layered textures.

"Depends on the River": A soulful closer that anchors the album’s folk roots.

The Bottom Line: I’m People is a raw, soulful, and impeccably produced journey that proves folk music can be both a sanctuary for the past and a beacon for the future.