Here’s a fantastic looking project out of Melbourne that is set for release on November 22nd. Warm Evenings, Pale Mornings is masterminded by Fraser Montgomery at The Aviary Recording Studio and Creative Hub. He’s brought together a bunch of fine musicians and songwriters to record the album straight to 2″ tape, with each artist covering another … Continue reading
One her 2013 album Dark Side Of The Morning Katie Brianna seemed to find her voice and settle into her own songwriting. Now in 2016 she has taken that self-belief, crafted an even stronger set of songs and produced a world class album of soulful country-tinged music. With production courtesy of Shane Nicholson, the album … Continue reading
Sturgill Simpson might be pegged as the renaissance man of modern country music but there’s a strong case for Texan Robert Ellis as the true heir to that throne. Over four albums he has progressively distanced himself from traditional country and delved deeper and deeper into a rich exploratory style of confessional songwriting. On this … Continue reading
Darren Cross made his name as a founding member of collage pop provocateurs Gerling but these days he’s one half of folk noir duo Jep and Dep and a solo artist trading in dark avant-folk. Surprisingly, this is Cross’ debut solo album and in many ways it embraces his past and present musical explorations with … Continue reading
Queenslander Josh Rennie-Hynes has backed up his debut album with another set of bittersweet Americana songs that sound more assured and worldly though sometimes lacking dynamics that could have elevated the songs into more emotionally heavy-hitting territory. Songs are filled with people and places from Rennie-Hynes’ constant touring and he’s mastered melancholy and a sympathetic … Continue reading
The folk, country and bluegrass string quintet return with their third album after a period on the sidelines due to Danny Widdicombe undergoing Leukaemia treatment. You get the strong sense these guys play for the thrill of creating communal music together and the chemistry between their voices is a natural fit while still allowing their … Continue reading
Jonny Fritz has announced his new LP Sweet Creep will be released by ATO on October 14th. Here’s the great first single Are You Thirsty. I first heard this when Josh Hedley covered it during his recent Australian tour. Top tune! Sweet Creep includes tracks about unchecked desire (‘Humidifier’), life on the road (‘Fifteen Passenger Van’) and … Continue reading
Tracy McNeil showed flashes of brilliance on her previous album and she’s taken that one step further with a more consistent set of songs on Thieves. There’s a laid-back smooth quality to McNeil’s music that recalls US west coast FM rock of the late 70’s with warm harmonies, swaying guitar lines and a general uplifting … Continue reading
Bob Dylan hasn’t released an original song in four years. Instead, on last years Shadows In The Night and now Fallen Angels, he’s paid tribute to American standards made famous by Frank Sinatra. Though these dozen tracks continue the lush, stately and intimate treatment of Shadows In The Night, the album feels like a lesser … Continue reading
Like a slow mist rolling down a valley or long evenings on the back porch, Carpenter’s 14th album is a slow-moving and introspective country affair. Confessional stories of heartache and emotional turbulence are presented and dissected on the Dave Cobb produced album yet across nearly an hour of restrained mood the effect is one of … Continue reading
Hussy Hicks’ Julz Parker and Leesa Gentz seem to have one of those wordless, symbiotic musical relationships. Everything sounds in harmony with perfect placement and interplay between Parker’s sublime guitar playing and Gentz’s soulful and often ecstatic singing on their fourth full-length album. The album opens with the over-wrought Flying that sounds like an overcooked … Continue reading
On his fifth album, country troubadour Hayes Carll has stripped back his songs to a place of contemplation with slow-burning tales of heartache. It’s a languid and casual affair where the songs drift by, conjuring up late humid nights on the back porch with a bottle for company and a head full of confessional and … Continue reading
For the last few years William Crighton has been building a strong buzz around his songs and live performances – both solo and with his band. Finally we see the fruition of his songwriting and recording with this mesmerising debut album. There’s a dark weight to Crighton’s music, both in subject matter and delivery, with … Continue reading
William Crighton has been gaining a reputation over the last couple of years for his solo and band performances that trade on intensity, honest songwriting and passionate delivery. There are country and folk influences at work in his music but it really boils down to the songs and the brooding yet melodic sounds he shrouds them in. … Continue reading
It’s been a long time coming but West Australian Davey Craddock has finally released his debut album and it’s as equally as impressive as the string of singles he’s released over the last few years. Sitting in the realm of soulful Americana music, City West is a beautifully recorded collection of songs that evoke emotional … Continue reading
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