Eric Hirshberg returns to the Americana and folk-rock world with Second Hand Smoke, but this time with an album that digs deeper into life's complexities. And while most Americana albums lean heavily on nostalgia or heartbreak, Second Hand Smoke offers a refreshingly optimistic perspective, all while acknowledging the inevitable pain of the human experience.
The album opens with "Good Morning", a song that perfectly captures the duality of life's highs and lows. "Good morning sunlight" smashes up against "good morning pain." Hirshberg acknowledges discomfort without letting it overshadow the beauty of life. It's honest in a way that brings a smile to your lips with amused agreement. The track's warmth lies in its simplicity—a minimalistic arrangement lets the lyrics take center stage.
"Half Way Home" is another standout track, a meditation on aging and self-reflection. With a delicate fingerpicking guitar line, Hirshberg sings, "And I'm trying my best to remember where my younger self thought I'd be when I got to the age I am now." The song starts like self-deprecation, but as Hirshberg reflects, the "half way home" refrain turns positive. It's a flip from half empty to half full. The song's soft, jubilant "sha la la" outro brings a sense of resolution, a reminder that even when the road feels long, we're always progressing.
Almost halfway through the album is "I Love Not Drinking". Layered with the sounds of a bar, it cleverly mimics a drinking song, but with a twist. This playful take on sobriety flips the script on not drinking: it's not something you give up, but something you gain. As Hirshberg lists all the benefits of not drinking—like no longer worrying about how to get home or what you said the night before—the song captures a humorous, relatable reflection on the often-overlooked joys of living a clear-headed life. The chorus is infectious, a communal singalong that feels like a celebration of self-control and newfound freedom.
While each track is heartfelt, some feel heavier than others. "Day One" compares toxic people to smoking, "Unbroken" delves into the pain inflicted by others and how you should view it, and both "The Most Beautiful Boy" and "Goodnight, Nobody" pull at the heartstrings as he addresses his sons. Hirshberg proves that just because you put a positive spin on something doesn't mean it can't have ten tons of emotional weight behind it.
For fans in LA, Eric will be performing live at Hotel Café on September 15th, a show that promises to bring the heart of this album to the stage.
Stream Second Hand Smoke below.
Ben is an advertising Madman who spends his days with words and music. When he's not writing for his supper, he's eating it at some of NYC's most interesting restaurants.
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