Phil Cook: Southland Mission

Southland Mission, the proper solo debut from Megafaun multi-instrumentalist Phil Cook, is a fine, easy time, and there’s not much more to it than that. Leaving Megafaun’s avant-jam tangents behind, Cook reveals a keen understanding of a variety of pleasing Southern modes, from straight gospel (“Lowly Road”) to straight Allman-soul  (“Gone”), but is at his most exciting when chasing his own voice. Co-producing with brother and Megafaun collaborator Brad Cook, Cook follows the Southern vibes into the 21st century, pushing the instrumental breaks of “Anybody Else” into the territory of rustic indie-disco and layering the solo folk-blues “Time to Wake Up” with a rich and friendly atmosphere. With Cook’s woolly Megafaun discography, one instrumental EP and credits that make him a one-man bridge between Bon Iver and The Blind Boys of Alabama, Southland Mission is many Souths at once, including Cook’s own.