Stephen Mugford shares his sun-soaked debut album, Palooza Beach" - Interview
There’s a kind of music that doesn’t ask for your attention — it coaxes it gently, like a warm breeze off the ocean, wrapping around you until you realize you’ve been entirely swept away. That’s the magic of Palooza Beach, the debut album from singer-songwriter Stephen Mugford, a record that first quietly landed in the fall of 2024 and has since become a favorite for those who appreciate their music with a side of salt air and soul.
Now, nearly a year later, Mugford’s shimmering, sun-baked debut is enjoying a well-deserved second life, and it’s easy to see why. The eight-track album is the sonic equivalent of an endless summer, an easygoing blend of jazz-infused ’70s and ’80s textures, acoustic pop warmth, and richly woven live instrumentation that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly modern. From the moment you press play, you’re not just listening — you’re stepping onto a sun-drenched shoreline, the faint cry of pelicans and the rustle of palm fronds lingering at the edges of every melody.
It’s the care, craftsmanship, and communal energy baked into every note that makes this pop. In our conversation with Mugford, he spoke about assembling the record with a tight-knit crew of Berklee College of Music alumni, each musician bringing their own flair to the sessions. Every horn, every string, every gentle brush of percussion you hear was recorded live in the studio, creating a warm, organic quality that’s become increasingly rare in today’s plug-and-play production landscape.
Vocally, Mugford sits somewhere between the breezy optimism of Jason Mraz and the storyteller’s heart of a young Paul McCartney. His voice has that rare ability to make simple phrases feel profound, imbuing tales of seaside escapism and gentle heartbreak with sincerity and charm. There’s a naturalism in his delivery that feels utterly unforced — you believe him when he sings about chasing waves, losing yourself in dusky afternoons, or quietly reckoning with the tides of change.
Instrumentally, Palooza Beach is a small marvel. The live horns shimmer with vintage soul, the strings sweep in subtly to lift choruses skyward, and the rhythm section locks into grooves that are equal parts lounge jazz and yacht rock, with just enough modern acoustic-pop polish to keep things grounded. There’s an unmistakable cohesion to it all, a sense that Mugford and his collaborators weren’t chasing trends but rather capturing a feeling — one rooted in place, memory, and vibe.
And if Palooza Beach is any indication, this is just the start for Stephen Mugford. In our interview, he hinted at future projects already in motion — collaborations with some of the same Berklee alumni and a stripped-back EP. Whatever shape those take, you can be sure they’ll carry the same unpretentious warmth and musical generosity that radiates through Palooza Beach.
Ultimately, this debut is more than just a collection of songs. It’s a feeling, a place you can return to, a record that reminds you sometimes the simplest things. We love it so much and overwhelmingly urge you to check out our conversation, listen in, and of course to stay tuned for plenty more in the works.
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