Rating: 3.5/5 stars

While it appears the world is crumbling and shattering around us, some people are trying to paint a different picture. Jackson Johnson has tried to bring his placid, breezy Hawaiian nature back to the mainstream once again, through his newest album “All The Light Above It Too” and it seems to be with quite appropriate timing.

Recently, the former professional surfer has become active in ecology and the sustainability movement. Johnson has moved forward with an ocean-centric focus nonetheless and as an active member, he and his wife, Kim Johnson, have created the Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation and the Kōkua Hawaii Foundation.

Many of the proceeds from his Sleep Through the Static Tour and the To the Sea Tour have gone to either his charities or partnering foundations that support greening, like All At Once.

With his last album having been released four years ago, “From Here to Now to You,” Johnson’s most recognizable work would be from his “Sing-A-Longs and Lullabies for the film ‘Curious George,’” released in 2006, with the main track being “Upside Down.”

“All The Light Above It Too” commences with what is distinctively Johnson’s signature soft rock and acoustic sound. As if it was just a continuation of his past three albums, Johnson’s opening song, “Subplots,” appears to be nothing but familiar and spent. Clearly repeating in choruses and overlapping solo rounds “All the light above the Sun / All the light above it too” is designed to set an overall melody for the album.

“Sunsets for Somebody Else,” the third track, will ring bells for anyone familiar with the artist, as the beginning of the song sounds nearly identical to “Banana Pancakes,” a song from his 2006 album “In Between Us.”

A common theme that appears to continue throughout the track list. Accompanied with the typical surfer soft rock strumming of an acoustic guitar he is most known for, Johnson attempts to mix it up with subtle, nearly unnoticeable Spanish guitar vibrato in the background.

Johnson’s strongly Hawaiian influenced work tends to break through with some differing colors once the acoustic features are tossed aside. “My Mind Is For Sale” provides relief from his mundane strum.

He sings “I don’t care for your paranoid ‘us against them’ walls,” and continues “I don’t care for your careless ‘me first, gimme gimme’ appetite at all.” With sharp words aimed at President Donald Trump, they did not appear nearly as barbed when paired with a gentle and calm instrumental groove.

Concluding the 10 track album with his talk of dreams, stars, and love songs, all recognizable conversations seen throughout his other work, Johnson bookends “All The Light Above It Too” with “Fragments – From The Film “The Smog of the Sea.”” The polite and refreshing ballad composed as an ode to our oceans goes hand in hand with his documentary “The Smog of the Sea.”

Jack Johnson has released yet again another beautiful Hawaiian, soft rock and acoustic album. His musicianship and values prevail predominately.

For fans, many will be pleased with his consistent and unwavering style; although if anyone just needs an album for white noise or studying, “All The Light Above It Too” would be the one to add to your playlist.

Photo: Prestor via flickr