Paul Givan - Marigold (2025) Hi-Res

The valleys and hills of Southern California have a rich musical heritage and the sounds of Laurel Canyon deeply influence the music of Givant – who grew up in the San Fernando Valley. He’s been a mainstay of Rose’s Pawn Shop for four albums and has released an album with his fellow RPS bassist Stephen Andrews as a folk grunge duo.

Here, though, he’s in laid-back, harmony-laden form with a beautiful collection of 70’s folk rock tunes produced by Jason Hiller and Zachary Ross. The music has six and twelve-string acoustics, upright bass, mandolin and Givant’s heartfelt and gorgeous vocals.

Opener ‘Marigold’ sets the tone perfectly with lovely acoustic strumming before Givant’s honeyed vocals emerge in a touching love song with a memorable and strong melody at its heart. ‘Tripping On The Moon’ has some rich bongo beats around some effective strings within a narrative story Givant sings beautifully. The strongest track on the album is ‘21 Seconds’ which opens with a fantastic melody that builds with wonderful harmonies underpinning the genuinely catchy tune. It’s got a slightly edgier guitar feel to it and is all the more effective for it and the guitar playing is exemplary.

Givan’s vocals have a spooky Andrew Gold feel on tunes like ‘What You’ve Given To Me’ with another hook-laden tune, and ‘Awake’ has a rockier feel with some more distorted guitar as the songs backbone – but another lovely catchy chorus and superb vocals ringing throughout. None of the songs wavers away from this tried and tested Laurel Canyon, easy on the ear, style of tune, but it so suits Givant’s strong voice, and the album is a real winner.

Incidentally, Givant’s band – Rose’s Pawn Shop – got their name after Rose, Givant’s ex-girlfriend and former bandmate, stole the band’s equipment from their rehearsal space and scattered their gear amongst various pawn shops throughout North Hollywood. Apparently, Rose isn’t too worried about her musical infamy.