Robert Scheffler - Truce (2025) Hi-Res

This is New York City-based singer-songwriter Robert’s third studio album & was remarkably recorded at home & self-produced. There are 11 indie rock/Americana-folk pieces on Truce performed by a seasoned musician who applies his soulful vocals, introspective lyrics to his compositions.

Robert (vocals/guitar) has amassed a group of songs that focus on heavy topics – exploring agreements between individuals as well as between people & the world around them. Songs about vulnerability in a new relationship, a reckless leap of faith, the shedding of false narratives & the simple audacity of honesty – as outlined in Robert’s press release. Some songs explore the loss of friends, hope & disillusionment. The tease of the forgotten hookup (I’ve been there) & the seriousness of it all is broken up a little with humor.

The tracks are well-recorded, starting with the first song that will embrace a listener’s ears on “Excuse the Mess” – we’ve all been there. A good, humored folky interlude about perhaps someone visiting by surprise, & your apartment is…untidy. It could also be interpreted as one’s life. Rockier is “Hang On, Skyline” with its chiming guitar, is delightful. Not probably written as a commercial mainstream-oriented song, but boy, could this capture a spot on the Top 40. Good arrangement & performance.

Robert has a credible rock voice with authority. “Basher” is another rocker in The Who tradition — with some intentional false starts, but the song has thrust. A rocker with a little more lyrical heft than “Hang On, Skyline.” Quite good. Robert mixes it up pretty good with the rockers, ballads & even some funkier exhibits. “Where Do I Know You From?” could’ve been a great Sly & the Family Stone tune back in the late ‘60s. But Robert’s version is hot, nonetheless. There’s balanced instrumentation where the players don’t overperform, play over each other, or embellish too much. It’s a well-conveyed song sweetened by little Steve Cropper-type soulful guitar notes.

The title track “Truce” has a sumptuous Tim Hardin beauty musically, with piano notes & acoustic guitar surrounding Scheffler’s pushing voice, sounding strongly like Jules Shear. Most effective. It almost sounds like one of the best Shear songs in ages that Jules never wrote.