“Sometimes less is more,” Pete Muller muses on his riveting new album, One Last Dance. It’s an idea the critically acclaimed songwriter has been thinking about a lot lately, a mantra that’s not only helped him find meaning and contentment, but also led to some of his most compelling work to date.

“I’ve led a curiosity-driven life,” Muller reflects, “and I feel grateful to have had adventures that few get to experience. But recently, I’ve been finding more joy in the little things, in the small moments of beauty and wonder that only show themselves when you slow down and pay attention.”

One Last Dance is full of just such moments. Recorded at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios in Bath, England, and featuring guest appearances from Grammy-winner Allison Russell and genre-bending duo SistaStrings, the collection finds Muller producing himself and his band for the first time. The songs are rich and character-driven, full of seemingly ordinary moments that manage to reveal fundamental truths about the human condition, with performances fueled by the deep bonds between Muller and his bandmates, who captured the core of the album in just a week. The result is a cinematic blend of roots, rock, soul, and pop that explores what it takes to be truly present and love with your whole heart.