If I recall correctly, when I saw Jesse in January 2019, he mentioned that he was working on a new album. I would periodically check for it.
Pete appears to have come out in August of last year (not that I have been prompt in reviewing it).
I am not positive on the release date, because Jesse has been scarce on the internet for a while, deactivating his Twitter and Facebook page. The only working link from the previous reviews is the Youtube topic, though it does have a Pete playlist now with the different tracks loaded.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC24AgkfU3mTUYdbCwUtBN5A
The album is still available for purchase on Amazon and Apple Music, and can be listened to on Spotify.
While retaining social media could have been helpful for promotion of the new material, I suspect going offline might relate to the subject matter.
Pete is a very mature album, though maybe not in the way expected.
Initially I noted the ways in which it was romantic. The album does wear its heart on its sleeve, perhaps most notably on "Love Struck Kid". However, that kid is not a kid; he does learn and is making choices more deliberately. That means there can be a decision to move on, as in "Find Me Someone", and that decision is based at least in part on valuing himself.
Perhaps the greatest thing about that maturity is that it doesn't scoff at play. The first and last tracks are -- respectively -- "Jesse's Walk On" and "Jesse's Walk Off", with actual foot steps during the walk on. (So maybe he still feels like a kid, and is certainly not "old".)
The second track "Never Coming Home", with subtle accents of trumpet and accordion, enlivening without overpowering. The overall mood is positive, but in a mellow, relaxed way.
That is the state of maturity displayed on Pete. Greater appreciation for the self and sunsets, still loving deeply, still playing, and sometimes losing but happier for knowing what to let go.
It is a state of grace.
Previous posts:
https://sporkful.blogspot.com/2015/07/band-review-jesse-valenzuela.html
https://sporkful.blogspot.com/2019/01/concert-review-jesse-valenzuela.html
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