John Donovan EP "Phases" Review

"Phases" Review

Artist: John Donovan

Album: Phases

Released: 2026

Artist Website: https://www.jdonovanmusic.com/

John Donovan is an exceptional singer/songwriter that functions in the Americana market. The "Americana" label can mean many things, often covering genres that are difficult to define. However, John Donovan's music lands firmly in the crosshairs that make up the genre. Lots of acoustic guitars, warm unforced vocals, catchy roots driven songs and a jangly telecaster is Donovan's approach throughout.  Nothing feels out of place here. This latest EP consisting of five songs is as easy on the ears as sugar is on the tongue. Just wonderful from start to finish. 

The release begins with a warm acoustic based cut, My Breakaway. What becomes clear at the first bar of music is how well it has been recorded. It isn't easy to get an acoustic guitar to sound as crisp and full as this does. John Donovan's voice is quite expressive without sounding like he is trying to be expressive. There is a subtle quality to it that says he means business and is totally committed to his art without it being forced. The guitar solo section was refreshingly unique. He takes the unexpected path and walks it with confidence. It has a bit of country in it, in the same way that Mark Knopfler approaches his guitar playing. Chet Atkins is in there, but not so much that it's stone cold country, just a bit more than a pinch of it. 

All Of Me was the obvious choice for a single. John Donovan possesses the gift of "the hook". The ever illusive hook is what separates a good songwriter from a great one. We all get the same 4 or 5 chords of which to write commercially tinged songs. The same four chords that McCartney and Lennon got. The modern Nashville hit songwriters have this formula dialed into a science. But that's why so much of it leaves the listener cold....the science. Donovan escapes this fate by using the same formula but keeping the art of it intact. There are hitmakers and there are artists and they typically are not the same people. John Donovan is unmistakably the latter. 

After multiple listens to this release Sundog is the cut that stayed with me the most. It's a bouncy piece that sits at the perfect tempo with a catchy guitar line at the top that would kick a Jimmy Buffet song off to the beach. The production is sweet at every turn. The drum mix is quite dry but somehow works perfectly in the soup with the rest of the band. In many ways this song is a balance between The Eagles and  Nashville artists like Kenny Chesney. There is the under current of country in it without the obligatory twang. Donovan walks a fine line here between modern country and more authentic Americana music and he walks with a great deal of comfort which makes for a comfortable listen. 

This five song EP, Phases, like his last one, Northern Moon leaves the listener wanting more. Not because of the amount of songs, but the quality of the limited content. His songs are quite simple in structure but fiercely compelling. He is never reaching for more in his vocal performance than what he sounds comfortable with. It's like he's breathing a melody. Fans of The Eagles and Jackson Browne will find a lot to like in John Donovan. Warm vocals, catchy songs, great production and stellar performances are hard not to like.