Hailing from the small village of Ballymagorry in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, Joe Hodgson’s artistry is deeply rooted in the rugged beauty and turbulent history of his homeland. Growing up during The Troubles, his music carries the emotional intensity and resilience of someone shaped by both personal and collective struggles. Hodgson’s guitar playing is not just technically elite as noted by Guitar World, but also remarkably expressive, weaving together strands of rock, blues, jazz, and traditional Irish music into evocative instrumentals.
After spending years in London working with various bands and touring Europe, Hodgson returned to Northern Ireland in 2018. His solo debut album, Apparitions (2020), was met with widespread critical acclaim, earning accolades from notable voices like Steve Newton and ANR Factory. Now, as he prepares to release his second solo album Fields of Redemption on June 20th, 2025, Hodgson continues to elevate his craft. With each release, including several double A-side singles earlier this year, he’s proven himself not only as a gifted guitarist but as a composer with a profound sense of narrative and emotion.
Released on June 6th, 2025, “You I Think Of” marks the third single from Joe Hodgson’s forthcoming solo album Fields of Redemption, and it stands as one of the most emotionally resonant and musically accomplished pieces in his growing discography. This lush instrumental ballad, featuring a sweeping arrangement from the esteemed Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, is more than just a song, it’s a heartfelt narrative told entirely through melody, harmony, and texture. Hodgson’s ability to evoke a vivid story without lyrics is a testament to his compositional depth and his mastery of the guitar as a storytelling instrument. What began as a reinterpretation of the Irish folk tune Molly Malone has grown into something wholly original and deeply personal, blending tradition with introspection in a way that only Hodgson seems capable of.
From its opening moments, “You I Think Of” sets a tone of delicate intimacy. The track begins with soft, contemplative guitar notes, gently unfolding like the first words of a love letter. Hodgson’s touch is light yet deliberate, and there’s a reflective quality to his playing that immediately draws the listener in. The underlying chord progression, inspired by Molly Malone, creates a familiar, almost nostalgic foundation, while his original melodies float effortlessly above it. These early phrases introduce a sense of longing, vulnerability, and romantic introspection, all of which become the emotional pillars of the track as it evolves. It’s clear from the start that this is not simply an exercise in technical brilliance, but a genuine expression of personal emotion.
As the piece progresses, the entrance of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra introduces a second voice to the conversation, one that doesn’t overpower, but rather enriches. The strings wrap themselves around Hodgson’s guitar lines like an embrace, providing counterpoint and resonance that expand the track’s emotional and sonic palette. The orchestral presence feels cinematic and sweeping, elevating the intimacy of the guitar into something more expansive and universal. The synergy between these two elements is seamless; neither outshines the other, and both serve the song’s larger emotional arc. It’s in this collaboration that the song finds its wings, soaring with moments of euphoria and dipping into shadows of bittersweet beauty.
Stylistically, “You I Think Of” continues Hodgson’s fearless genre-blending. His signature fusion of rock, blues, jazz, and Irish traditional music is fully present here, though more subdued and woven with finesse. His phrasing borrows the emotional weight of blues, the improvisational flair of jazz, and the melodic sensibility of Celtic traditions, all underscored by a rock-influenced sense of drama and dynamics. Rather than showcasing virtuosic flourishes for their own sake, Hodgson allows each note to breathe. His solos are lyrical and expressive, shaped more by feeling than flash, and they serve to heighten the emotional gravity of the composition rather than distract from it.
What makes the track particularly poignant is the true-life story that inspired it. Hodgson initially conceived the piece while working on Molly Malone in early 2021. As he imagined a fictional story of falling in love with a woman from Dublin, the music seemed to write itself, guided by the narrative unfolding in his mind. That imagined story would eventually come true, Hodgson met and married a woman from Dublin in 2022, and she even walked down the aisle to the string arrangement of “You I Think Of.” This real-life connection imbues the music with an even deeper sense of authenticity. It’s not only a love song, it’s a musical embodiment of destiny fulfilled, a soundtrack to a life-changing chapter in the artist’s journey.
Production-wise, the track is a masterclass in restraint and clarity. The mix gives ample space to both the guitar and the orchestra, allowing each element to occupy its own emotional register without ever becoming cluttered or overproduced. The sound is warm and intimate, yet grand in scale, a balance that few instrumental recordings manage to achieve. The acoustic clarity of Hodgson’s guitar is preserved throughout, while the strings add layers of shimmer and resonance that gently rise and fall with the emotional tides of the song. It’s a testament to the production team’s understanding of the music’s emotional core: everything is designed to serve the story and enhance its impact.
Emotionally, “You I Think Of” is a slow-burning, immersive experience. The music doesn’t rush; it takes its time, allowing the listener to live within each movement, each melodic shift. There’s a tangible sense of yearning, hope, and ultimately peace that flows through the arrangement. Hodgson’s guitar, at times, sounds as though it’s whispering secrets, while the strings amplify those whispers into profound declarations. By the time the final notes drift into silence, the listener is left with a sense of closure, not unlike the last page of a beautifully written novel. It’s a cathartic, almost spiritual experience that lingers long after the song has ended.
In conclusion, “You I Think Of” is not just another entry in Joe Hodgson’s catalog, it is a defining moment. It encapsulates everything that makes him a compelling artist: technical excellence, emotional intelligence, genre-defying creativity, and a deep connection to his roots and personal journey. This is music with heart, soul, and purpose, crafted not just to impress, but to connect. As a prelude to the release of Fields of Redemption, the track sets a towering standard and offers listeners a glimpse into the depth of feeling and artistry to come. With “You I Think Of,” Joe Hodgson proves once again that he is more than a guitarist, he is a true composer of the human experience.
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