Almost four years have passed since the debut Egg Hell album, “Once Part Of A Whole Ship”. Jef Maarawi returns, with his first solo work, “Comfort Food”.

The music of “Comfort Food” sounds like coming out effortlessly, with laid back melodies and very few outbursts. Luscious guitars, subtle orchestrations, good chemistry between Jef Maarawi and King Elephant in production.

However, the disarming sincerity of Jef’s lyrics touches the common human weaknesses so deeply, that sometimes it hurts. And while the Black Dog wounds have been masterfully concealed with humor and cynicism, through the analgesic pop of “Comfort Food” the artist’s personal pain meets the listener who survives with the help of material or spiritual addictions, hidden behind the convenience of his own comfort foods. Somehow, Jef Maarawi’s dark forest entwines more or less known stories, such as that of young Omayra Sánchez, that of the Jonestown massacre, or that of a stranger who jumps on the train tracks.

And as the stories end along with the vinyl grooves of this album, the smiling, generous heart defeats the body which is always ready to succumb and “Comfort Food” resembles a farewell letter, one step before the change.

Out on vinyl (+cd version) and digital album via Inner Ear.