It’s a beautiful visual introduction to Joel Sarakula, a UK-based Australian artist who writes, produces and sings retro-flavoured Soft-Rock, gazing out at a contemporary world through vintage glasses, vintage clothing and long blond hair. His music is inspired by a rich palette from the 1970s, with influences from soft rock, funk and disco: sunny, uptempo jams for darker times. He has toured extensively in the EU and US over the years including performances in major international festivals SXSW, Primavera Sound, Glastonbury and Baltic Soul Weekender.

Joel Sarakula’s new album, “Soft Focus” is a mid-career album that spans his many influences and genres, all brought under the umbrella of his gentle gaze and a “soft” aesthetic. Highlights include one of the two Shawn Lee-produced tracks “I’ll Get By Without You” and “Telephone Calls,” and the more rocking, iberic beat of “King Of Spain.” This is an album made with love, polish and may be his defining statement in soulful soft-rock. There are comparisons to contemporary projects like Shawn Lee’s Young Gun Silver Fox, Drugdealer, Benny Sings and Prep, as well as echoes of soft-rock icons Ned Doheny, Boz Scaggs and Michael Franks gently rippling through the album.