I don't necessarily make records with a lot of a mission statement. Other than having songs written, you're kind of going out on the lake with a fishing pole. You know there's fish there. You don't know how long it's going to take for you to catch one. You might have a day where for some reason you don't catch anything. That's what it's like to go into the studio when I'm making most things. Certainly solo records.
—Blake Mills on his approach to writing and recording albums[3]
Jelly Road is a 2023 album by American singer-songwriterBlake Mills. It has received positive reviews from critics and was promoted with a concert tour alongside collaborator Chris Weisman[4] and the singles "Skeleton Is Walking"[5] and "There Is No Now".[6] The album marks a return to recording from Mills who had focused on production and collaboration on others' albums and features his first time being co-produced by an outside musician[2] and features extensive co-writing by Weisman who had previously worked with Mills on Daisy Jones & the Six.[7]
Reception
Editors at The Fader chose Jelly Road to be among the best music of the week.[8] Writing for Mojo, James McNair rated this album 4 out of 5 stars, calling it "experimental yet accessible" and comparing the music to The Band and Fleetwood Mac.[9] Critics for NPR's All Songs Considered included this among the notable releases of the week.[10] At Pitchfork, Evan Minsker shortlisted this as one of the best albums of the week[11] and critic Allison Hussey rated it an 8.0 out of 10, calling it "smooth and satisfying from start to finish" and "an invigorating listen" akin to hauntology.[1] At Uncut, Sam Richards rated this release 4 out of 5 stars for showing that Mills is "a person who cares deeply – even obsessively – about his chosen artform, and its ability to delight, console and transform"[12] and the publication's editors named it the 43rd best album of 2023.[13]
