Passage du Desir

Passage du Desir (French for "Passage of Desire") is a studio album by American singer-songwriter Sturgill Simpson, released under the alter ego Johnny Blue Skies. It was released on July 12, 2024, through High Top Mountain as Simpson's eighth total studio album. It has received positive reviews from critics. Simpson has stated that this album represents a new phase in his career and was not preceded by promotional singles, but will be supported with a tour under his proper name with Johnny Blue Skies as a special guest.

Background and recording
Simpson chose to adopt a stage name for Passage du Desir in order to remain in line with his stance of only releasing five original studio albums under his actual name; this excludes Cuttin' Grass, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, as they were bluegrass renditions of previously released material. The name "Johnny Blue Skies" was given to Simpson by a bartender in Lexington, Kentucky, who would introduce Simpson with the moniker whenever he would begin an open mic set at the bar. Simpson previously included "Johnny Blue Skies" in the packaging notes for A Sailor's Guide to Earth, his third studio album, and gave the name a credit in the accompanying film to Sound & Fury, his fourth studio album. Simpson recorded Passage du Desir at Abbey Road Studios in London and Clement House Recording Studios in Nashville, Tennessee.

Reception
Editors at AnyDecentMusic? scored this release an 8.0 out of 10, aggregating 7 reviews.

Writing for Beats Per Minute, John Amen commented, "Simpson’s voice is more resonant than ever, his melodic sensibilities on full display. Over eight songs and 41 minutes, he forges sublime and heartfelt work, evoking the epic poles of experience: loneliness and belonging, forlornness and gratitude, faith and doubt." Andrew Sacher of BrooklynVegan wrote that on this release, "every song brings something unique to the table" and "this one finds him embracing the country, blues, soul, and Southern rock of the late ’60s/early ’70s, with songs that scratch the same itch as stuff like the Allman Brothers, The Band, and Gram Parsons". At Consequence of Sound, Mary Siroky called this "a beautifully layered LP" that mixes genres and moods as diverse as desire and humor that leaves listeners "with the sense that Simpson is just warming up". Writing for Glide Magazine Shawn Donohue stated that this release includes all of "Simpson’s core", with "the mixing of outlaw-based country with classic Nashville pop and slightly psychedelic flourishes", with particularly strong production.

In the Lexington Herald-Leader, Walter Tunis called this "a very Simpson-sounding work" that sounds like the singer's mid-2010 releases, resulting in "a fine slice of often elegant heart-on-the-sleeve music". Discussing Passage du Desir in No Depression, Jon Young concluded, "Eloquent and unsparing, Passage du Desir is a potent cocktail of tender beauty and profound melancholy. Whatever else Sturgill Simpson has planned for Johnny Blue Skies, the two of them are off to an unforgettable start." The Observer's Neil Spencer scored this release 4 out of 5 stars, calling it "a deeply emotional journey", comparing the sound to A Sailor's Guide to Earth.

Editors at Paste chose this as a Paste Pick, where it was rated a 9.7 out of 10 and critic Matt Mitchell called it "an introduction and a rebirth" where "Simpson remains transient but yearns to be still" and "Simpson does his best to wander through the muck of life’s greatest romances and fundamental truths for as long as his feet can muster the steps". Editors at Pitchfork Media scored this release 8.5 out of 10, declaring it among the Best New Music and critic Stephen M. Deusner called it an "outstanding album [that] expertly balances cosmic and outlaw country" and praised the relatability of the lyrics. Rolling Stone's Jon Blistein scored this work 4 out of 5 stars, calling this "some of [Simpson's] deepest music yet" with lyrics that are "heavy with heartache, burdened by past mistakes, adrift in impossible dreams, and desperate for relief" with "music that surrounds Simpson’s voice is rich and dynamic, filled with moments of genuine musical delight that act as a kind of counterweight".

Writing for Slant Magazine, Steve Erickson gave this release 4 out of 5 stars, pointing out the "classic rock sound" that recalls 1970s country and rock, with songs that have various moods, "darker undercurrent[s]", and "sci-fi imagery [that] crashes against the notion of mortality". Jacob Paul Nielsen of Stereogum stated that "shrouded in the new identity of Johnny Blues Skies, Simpson has crafted some of his best songs to date", comparing the use of alter egos to David Bowie and Bob Dylan. Sowing of Sputnikmusic rated Passage du Desir a 4.0 out of 5, stating that "it feels like [Simpson's] most personal and poignant release in eight years". At Uproxx, Steven Hyden emphasized the continuity with previous Simpson work due to having the backing band he had in the 2010s, stating that "in true paradoxical Sturgill Simpson fashion, being someone else has given him permission to be more like himself", resulting in "the most patio-friendly music of Sturgill’s music career".

Track listing
All songs written by Johnny Blue Skies.
 * 1) "Swamp of Sadness" – 4:58
 * 2) "If the Sun Never Rises Again" – 4:47
 * 3) "Scooter Blues" – 3:38
 * 4) "Jupiter’s Faerie" – 7:24
 * 5) "Who I Am" – 3:07
 * 6) "Right Kind of Dream" – 5:17
 * 7) "Mint Tea" – 3:37
 * 8) "One for the Road" – 8:55

Personnel

 * Johnny Blue Skies – guitar, vocals, mixing (at The Butcher Shack, Goodletsville, Tennessee, United States), production, photography
 * Jake Bugg – acoustic guitar
 * Matt Combs – strings
 * Cameron Davidson – assistant audio engineering
 * Dan Dugmore – pedal steel guitar
 * Fred Eltringham – drums, percussion
 * Ed Farrell – assistant audio engineering
 * Fetzer Design – art direction
 * David Glasser – audio mastering at Air Show Mastering
 * David R. Ferguson – mixing (at The Butcher Shack), production
 * Sierra Hull – mandolin, siren
 * Steve Mackey – bass guitar
 * Dreez Nutz – photography
 * Mike Rojas – accordion, keyboards, melodica
 * Sean Sullivan – audio engineering