“But when Colombian means coffee, then your thrills are in your head—unless you choose to throw the dice again,” James Palko, also known as Jimmy Montague, the Queens’ singer, songwriter, horn and doo wop arranger sings on his latest album, Tomorrow’s Coffee. Tomorrow’s coffee is about the only reliable thing on this album of self-critique and life and relationship woes. He’s a consummate songwriter, featuring Chris Farren on one of his tracks, and they run in the same circles for good reason. From first song to last, these are Nick Lowe worthy 70’s influenced songs, with plenty of musical thrills and lyrical gems.

The album starts with the song, “Tell You That You’re Right,” and you get the feeling, from the get go, that it’s not an easy ride for Palko, though he sublimates his struggles with relatable, setting- and reference-rich stories. “And now my days are spent disputing parking tickets with the law / Doing yoga in the morning / count the hours on the wall.” His attention to everyday details drags you into his world, where love (and perhaps music) have higher stakes than he would have liked.

“If only for a moment had a stubborn realization / that even if I play that part / there’s no new starts for broken hearts.” The charming woefulness of the record is balanced out in spades with his upbeat, many-chord bangers of songs. He reminds me of an LA artist Dan Croll, who has a similar humorous self-deprecation and indomitable will, though Palko’s stellar band, with horns and saxophones, satisfying rock n’ roll guitars, and beautiful background singers, definitely ups the ante.

“Here Today (Without You Tomorrow),” a song that has a bit of a Pink Floyd feel to it, makes the title of the album even more ironic. Tomorrow, he has his coffee, but not the love of his life. You find yourself rooting for Jimmy Montague, despite all of his unfortunate luck, which finds him with “No Exit” by the end of the album, admitting, like he started the album, that “baby you were right,” that he might have to spend the night and his life alone. Of course, it’s art, and his life might not be so bad. But it sings our woes with super catchy, singer-songwriter fair, enhanced by a band to wow you. It’s a charming album, and one I thoroughly enjoyed.

Order Tomorrow’s Coffee by Jimmy Montague HERE