As usual, a great county of new singles hitting the airwaves and digital universe this week. First up is this lovely duet between Kurt Vile and John Prine, recorded late in 2019. “Probably the single most special musical moment in my life,” says Vile. It’s part of a new KV EP called Speed, Sound, Lonely KV, out … Continue reading
COAL CITY GOLD James Thomson’s third album is his his finest yet, the result of his steady creative evolution. Golden Exile sees the Newcastle songwriter digging deeper and more widely into his influences and writing with a greater sense of musical identity. Back in 2012 he came to the attention of journalist and label owner … Continue reading
Gothic, psych country. Forthcoming album mixed by Mitch Easter E.Z. Shakes aren’t afraid to inject some darkness and rabble-rousing noise into their gothic country sound. On ‘Making Mistakes’ there’s a generous use of reverb to give the song a brooding, ghostly feel that works beautifully. The Columbia, South Carolina group, who are getting ready to … Continue reading
You don’t hear a great deal of folk and country music coming out of New Zealand. It’s there for sure, and big names have certainly built local and international reputations (Marlon Williams, Tami Neilson, Tiny Ruins etc) but finding the next wave of artists can sometimes involve a bit of digging. This new track by … Continue reading
Courtney Marie Andrews Old Flowers Fat Possum Records / Inertia The evolution of one of the most consistently rewarding songwriters in recent years continues with this devastating treatise and rumination on heartbreak, despair and emotional renewal. Courtney Marie Andrews has taken the tried and true subject of the end of a long-term relationship and bled … Continue reading
Melbourne songwriter Sunset Stranger (Stephen E. Stanisic) has a brand new single, the final one ahead of the digital, CD and limited vinyl release of his new sophomore album Your Home Town on Friday September 4th. Previously recording under the name Eddie Nuardo, Stanisic has proven he’s a consummate songwriter and player, bringing an authentic … Continue reading
JAIME WYATT NEON CROSS New West Records Back in 2017, Jaime hit the scene via her Felony Blues EP which documented her rocky road through drug addiction and jail time. She’s taken that statement of honest and raw songwriting and put her name up in lights with its exceptional followup Neon Cross. Produced by Shooter … Continue reading
Swedish songwriter Nicky William has released his new single ‘I Fell In Love With Her‘, a minimal swoon of a song that recalls deep-voiced favourites of ours such as Leonard Cohen and Bill Callahan. The gentle sway of the song is an intoxicating and rich sound, propelled by warm, melodic bass and towards the end … Continue reading
There’s a woodsy, hypnotic quality to this new track from New York songwriter Rachel Angel. ‘Strapped’ quickly finds its pulse and the equivalent of circular breathing in the cyclical guitar. It’s wonderfully mesmerising as her ethereal voice intones and drifts across the speakers. It’s a bucolic Mazzy Star folk vibe that sparkles and floats along, … Continue reading
Man, what a song. Ridiculously catchy and most effectively it’s all delivered with an effortless and breezy, light-headed and heavy-hearted, sway and swagger. Like The Lemonheads and The Jayhawks – that nexus of sweet Americana and power-pop. Just a perfect country-rock, guitar pop nugget. Russel Taine Jr. is a band from Austin, TX comprised of … Continue reading
Any song that starts with the line ‘Satan is my father” is a winner straight off the bat in our books. It’s nicely balanced by the line “My mother is an angel”, from Kentucky band Wayne Graham, in collaboration with Nuremburg folk group The Green Apple Sea. This track has a wonderfully lazy, back-porch vibe … Continue reading
Wyatt C. Louis is a Cree-Métis folk singer-songwriter, based in Moh’kinstsís (Calgary). ‘Dancing With Sue’ is the first taste of his new album, due for release in the next few months via Canadian label Slow Weather. The song is one of those comforting, nostalgic sounds that draws you in. There’s a strong melodic thread that runs … Continue reading
To mark its one year anniversary, Mark Moldre has today released the fourth single and fifth video clip from his acclaimed 2019 album Fever Dreams. ‘White Lightning‘ is a raised-glass country sway, an intoxicating tale of love lost and found – with soft shuffling drums, woozy electric guitar and a loose and heady, end-of-the-night vibe. ‘White Lightning’ was a … Continue reading
Here’s our mid year list for 2020. In alphabetical order, the albums (and one EP) that have hit our musical sweet-spot over the last six months. Big hitters and newcomers cosied up together in a smorgasbord of country, folk and Americana goodness. Dig in and have a listen… Andrew Tuttle Alexandra Andy Golledge Namoi EP … Continue reading
The delightfully named Scurvylicious concoct a wonderfully vibrant sound on this new song ‘Wiser‘. The Melbourne band open the track with a slow, swaying jangly guitar sound – like an afterthought at the start of the song. Near the minute mark it kicks into first gear with prominent bass driving things along and the mantra … Continue reading
