Kevin Johnson & Nick Bowen groove endlessly on album, “Moves Like A Record”
Kevin Johnson & Nick Bowen aren’t chasing trends. On Moves Like A Record, their sixth studio collaboration, the two artists continue to carve out a sonic identity rooted in raw expression, indie rock intimacy, and a poetic sense of time and space. It’s an album that doesn't just play — it breathes, pulses, and spins with emotion, just like the title suggests. And like a beloved vinyl on the turntable, it’s got that lived-in warmth that you want to keep coming back to.
This is a vocal-forward collection, and rightly so. Both Johnson and Bowen pour soul into every line, their voices carrying the kind of weathered wisdom that can’t be faked. There’s something vulnerable and unwavering in the way they deliver their lyrics — like two poets with guitars pulling verses from the gut. And there are a lot of verses. This is a lyric-heavy record, filled with deeply personal storytelling and meditations on love, time, memory, and the fragile dance between connection and solitude.
Yet the music never takes a backseat. The instrumentation on Moves Like A Record is understated but never minimal — each track is wrapped in carefully constructed textures that span acoustic fingerpicking, atmospheric electric guitar swells, and ambient production touches that elevate the emotional stakes. There’s a quiet confidence in how each song builds itself up and tears itself back down again, refusing to rush or dazzle for show.
Tracks like “Living Dance” and “Tomorrow” — produced with Karsten Tausch — bring an even more layered dimension to the record. These songs shimmer with experimental energy, their production leaning into a dreamier realm that still feels grounded by heartfelt performance. They feel like emotional crescendos amid an already expressive landscape.
What makes Moves Like A Record so compelling is its ability to be eclectic without feeling scattered. Johnson and Bowen know who they are as artists, and even as they explore the outer edges of their sound — flirting with indie folk, ambient rock, acoustic balladry, and art rock — they keep it cohesive. There’s an arc here, a shape, and it moves with the listener in mind. No matter the subgenre you enjoy, they’ve really done a wonderful job of expanding their repertoire of sound and style.
The title isn’t just clever wordplay — it’s thematic. This album truly moves like a record, not just in how it flows, but in how it connects. It spins in emotional circles, scratches the surface of life’s complexity, and plays back moments that feel both personal and universal. Though the record certainly has standout singles, we do think it flows best consecutively and uninterrupted.
In an era that often favors slick, hyper-produced statements, Moves Like A Record stands out because it doesn’t try to be anything other than human. It’s soulful, it’s thoughtful, and it’s a reminder that there’s still magic in collaboration — especially when it’s done with this much care, chemistry, and courage.
Another beautiful chapter from two artists who clearly still have so much to say, and all the right instincts for how to say it. Go ahead and enjoy it for yourselves and make sure to follow along with them for more by clicking those links below.
Listen to “Moves Like A Record”
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