“THE CANDY WRAPPER” By Bob Augustine

A debut album for any artist is often a primary genre of expression, a culmination of what they are about, what they are passionate about sonically, and the narratives they seek to tell. For Pittsburgh-based singer-songwriter Bob Augustine, artistically known as Folk-IndieBob, that declaration arrives with remarkable clarity in his self-titled debut album “Folk-IndieBob,” which was recently released and is available on all major streaming platforms like Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. This album is an honest self-convinced of love, hope, longing, and strength. The album’s main focus is on the single and perhaps the most famous, “The Candy Wrapper,” which is an emotional depiction of Folk-IndieBob’s ability to create a universal experience out of his private life.

Just like how each and every person left their impact in the world, we all carry stories and emotions with us. The same goes for Augustine and his single and the second track of the album, “The Candy Wrapper, “ a brilliant and poignant tale owned by The Candy Wrapper. Communion is described by the author in a simplified version as a perfect example of Augustine's artistry. Augustine multiplies the pain of love lost with the unique metaphor of the wrapper, love's disguise. Every other songwriter would use super expressionist images in their writing. For Augustine, “the wrapper is a representation of vanishing worth, of something indulged in and then forgotten.” The skill in his performance is taut yet soft, embodying willowy grief, every part of the balance enabling the listener to deeply connect with the whole message. This is the stark difference between “The Candy Wrapper” and the other stories: it does not hoard every cent of pain and agony; rather, it upholds the wounded pride of accepting the past. The sheer desolation in the surrender, no one seems to realize. Every single person does connect with it, all thanks to Augustine and the unique, gentle fabric of art he buried us under. What truly is commendable about this is that although the emotional core is the single track, it is far from the only song worth listening to on the entire album. The first song of the album, “Fountain of Love,” is captivating with the ethereal, angelic, and uplifting filter it wears. Like a lush textured silk, the instant we hear it, we see the orders of spring flowing with streams, inviting us into Augustine's universe where skill intertwines with the sincere words of (Folk, soft, sick love). This track not only works as a curtain-raiser but also as a thematic anchor, establishing love as both a theme and a wellspring that flows throughout the album.

Augustine steps into “I’m In Love,” a single bursting with excitement and these innocent and new joyous feelings of love. Accompanied by soft guitar music and gentle strumming, which reflects the simplicity of the new and tender feelings of love the song aims to evoke, the words of the song are as gentle as a sunset. Serving as a contrast to the more heartbreaking lyrics of “The Candy Wrapper,” Augustine shows his range artistically as he handles the many sides to emotion. In emotion, both heartbreak and swoon are purely representative and stand to display the dynamic range of this album, maintaining equilibrium and lifelike sensations to the listener. The fourth track, “Moon Song for Mary Ann,” is the touchstone of lyrical introspection. Here, Augustine shines as he sings a lullaby-like compliment to the sky, giving the song both a physical and emotional bent. Although the song seems to be written for a certain person, everyone is able to step into the fantasy, creating this dream-like, spooky yet soft imagery. The moon observes and hears this love, collage, and reminiscence, complementing Augustine’s talent, whose ability to take the ordinary and make it extraordinary.

At the end of the album, songs such as “Jealous of Freedom” and “Crystal Ball” show a more introspective and complex side to Augustine. He does a phenomenal job with the song “Jealous of Freedom,” as he uses precision and intricate frameworks of a song to delve deeply into the ever-shifting territory of wanting and being unsatisfied with total independence. He does take more of a risk with the song “Crystal Ball” as he reflects deeply upon the future, although he does have uncertainty with the future, he does exercise a degree of clarity and nostalgia towards the future.. It is tracks like these two that show from the album an even broader set of feems. The album as a whole is rooted and tempered by the truth of humanity and all its beautiful complexity. The song “All My Hope” is a middle ground for this melancholy portion of the album, as it is the last song to evoke these darker feelings. “All My Hope” has a sturdier message that warms the soul and, as the title suggests, is more positive in nature and serves as a conclusion to this sadder, reflective portion of the album. Ending the album on a more positive note is “Four Leaf Clover,” which leaves the listener with a feeling of soft optimism. The feeling of uncommon beauty and luck beautifully entwined in this song allows the listener to feel a wave of certainty for not only themselves, but for humanity's ability to bounce back. There is no feeling of confusion or despair, only renewal.

What makes “Folk-IndieBob” so compelling is a combination of its thematic unity and Augustine's authenticity. Whether he is singing a song of joy, a song of heartbreak, or a song of hope, his delivery is free from artifice or relegation to a performance. Rather, it is like sitting across from a friend in a small, quiet, mellow coffeehouse, listening to them disclose all of their secrets and sing to their heart's content. His performances all over Pittsburgh, at story festivals and in art galleries, at coffee shoppes and at poetry readings, have already earned him a reputation in all the wrong circles as a deep and thoughtful performer. With this album, he offers that same deep, personal connection and intimacy at a global scale, providing a platform for contemplation and restoration. “Folk-IndieBob” is unlike so many albums today larded with sound and production nuance, because of its intentional simplicity. Augustine's works trust in the strength of simple structures, poetic narratives, and emotional narratives. His song, “The Candy Wrapper,” is a perfect example of such creativity and artistry, but more so the album as a whole. Augustine's deep voice is more than simply heard, but rather, felt. Wholeheartedly for those in search of music to satiate the sentiments, “Folk-IndieBob” is a signature listen.

To wrap up, the debut album from Bob Augustine is an example of both the achievements of Bob as a songwriter and performer and a glimpse at the promise of greater things yet to come. As of now, “Folk-IndieBob” is available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and all other major digital platforms to be heard and felt well beyond the borders of Pittsburgh. As Augustine forges ahead in his artistic journey, it is easy to discern that from “The Candy Wrapper” and other equally profound pieces, he now has the mark of a generational artist who stands for sincerity, rawness, and folk-indie stories in all their essence. It is easy to see and hear the artistry and the depth in the debut of Bob Augustine, or Folk-IndieBob as he is known, that has sprung from. It is apparent that the fans are in for a treat as Bob, aka Folk-IndieBob, has embarked on a journey that will be reflective of and for everyone.

Written by Manuel