RON SEXSMITH, HERMITAGE

Hermitage, Ron Sexsmith’s 16th album, arrives 25 years after his debut and carries the perspective of an artist who has spent a quarter century shaping songs with quiet grace. Written and recorded after his move to Stratford, Ontario, he tracked most of it himself at home with Don Kerr on drums, giving the music an easy warmth. From the opening piano and birdsong of “Spring of the Following Year” through highlights like “Chateau Mermaid” and “Glow in the Dark Stars,” the record leans into bright melodies and whimsical detail, a reminder of Sexsmith’s gift for making everyday reflections feel timeless.