Stephen Mugford returns with “Easy To Love (Live)”, a tender reimagining of a centerpiece from his debut album Palooza Beach. Released in August 2025, this version strips the song to its bare essentials, offering listeners an intimate performance that highlights both the vulnerability of his voice and the sincerity of his storytelling.
The live acoustic arrangement trades studio polish for warmth and rawness. A gentle guitar progression forms the backbone, leaving ample space for Mugford’s vocals to carry the weight of the lyrics. The absence of layered production draws attention to the nuances in his delivery, which is at times fragile and at other moments resolute, echoing the ebb and flow of long term love.
At its core, the song reflects on a relationship that has endured more than thirty years, rooted in loyalty and resilience. The lyrics remind us that genuine love is not defined by ease but by the ability to weather storms together. Lines about smiles breaking through arguments and seeing each other even in dark moments underscore a truth that is both personal and universal.
Musically, Mugford draws on the optimism of contemporary folk pop artists while carrying a timeless quality reminiscent of Paul McCartney’s acoustic ballads. There is also a storytelling warmth that recalls Willie Nelson, with phrases that feel lived in rather than written.
What makes “Easy To Love (Live)” especially compelling is the context behind it. Mugford left behind a corporate career to pursue songwriting later in life, and that sense of gratitude and perspective lingers in every note. It is a performance that feels less like a showpiece and more like a conversation with the heart.
With this release, Mugford demonstrates that simplicity can be powerful and that the greatest love stories are often told softly, one chord at a time.
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