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.
