We need to talk about producer extraordinaire Jonathan Wilson. From producing Father John Misty’s Grammy-nominated release Pure Comedy to touring with Pink Floyd founder Roger Waters and playing on his stellar album Is This the Life We Really Want?, this LA-based jack-of-all-trades has challenged the traditional roles of music producers — but he doesn’t stop there.

Rare Birds is the latest release from this producer-musician who doesn’t sit still. With a voice that I can only describe as a less vocally ambitious Phil Collins, Wilson mixes ’80s art-rock influences with a healthy amount of balladeering to produce one hell of a heartbreak album.

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Tanner Bayne / Culture Editor