Lists! We have a couple for you as usual as we wind down at the end of another year. I won’t rabbit on about the trials and tribulations of 2020, the good news was that the music still came down the pipeline with the same amount of quality and reward. We’ll have our overall list … Continue reading
‘Halfway To Mexico’, taken from Abigail Lapell‘s 2019 album Getaway, is a beatifully languid and humid folk song that eases along on the back of her wonderfully expressive way with melodies that dance through the song. The Toronto vocalist, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist has released two acclaimed solo albums – Hide Nor Hair, her sophomore LP, … Continue reading
Lately I’ve been listening to and writing about the sound of ambient country music. I guess it’s the state of the world – but quieter, more ruminative and relaxing sounds have become even more important than ever of late. There are the traditional ambient go-to’s such as Eno, Harold Budd, Jon Hassall, Williams Basinski and … Continue reading
Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada songwriter David James Allen is a man for all seasons. He cites some of his skills as graphic artist, DIY record producer and poet and he clearly takes that polymorphic approach with his music; effortlessly blending country, folk, psych and pop sounds into a wonderful kaleidoscopic sound that could easily … Continue reading
Super smooth and soulful jazz and country-blues flavoured sounds on this new single from Micah Edwards. The song has a lightness of touch about it that makes those melodies damn hard to shake. Perfect for this time of year as we head into spring in the Southern Hemisphere. Edwards hails from Houston and other than … 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
AN INTIMATE CONVERSATION Thousands of songs have been written about heartbreak but on her latest album, Old Flowers, Courtney Marie Andrews has found a captivating way to breathe honesty and intimacy into the subject matter. By Chris Familton It’s late in the afternoon in Nashville, TN and Courtney Marie Andrews is reflecting on her past … Continue reading
Rod Smoth is the nom de plume of Mississippi songwriter and guitarist Reed Smith who recently released his self-titled album. Continue reading
Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit Reunions Caroline Australia Jason Isbell cemented himself in the pantheon of 21st century songwriters with his Southeastern album in 2013. Since then he’s continued to release strong records but Reunions stands as his most consistent set of songs to date. Sure it might not have the exquisite emotional songwriting … Continue reading
A retro vibe is the order of the day with the spoken word approach from Kelley Swindall on her new single ‘You Can Call Me Darlin’ If You Want’, the title-track from her new album due out in 2020. The song hits its stride with the perfectly formed country-soul chorus and some nice harmonica playing. … Continue reading
A few weeks ago, Andy Sydow released his new EP Wicked Dreams and our favourite track on it is this one – ‘Feel Like Gold‘. There’s some Petty in his sound, some Nathaniel Rateliff too – framed by some fine organ playing as he soars into a killer chorus on the track. It’s a polished melodic … Continue reading
Auckland, New Zealand singer Milly Tabak has a new single out with her band the Miltones and it’s a sweet and soulful slice of Americana that rolls along with a lazy warmth. Tabak has a voice that pulls from a range of styles – soul, jazz, folk, country and even a subtle pop streak winding … Continue reading
We’re digging this song by Halifax, Nova Scotia songwriter Norma MacDonald that we came across online. She released her new album Old Future a few weeks ago and ‘Wonder In The Summer’ is just one of its many highlights. MacDonald’s voice is a classic country sound, soaked in that ache and melancholy that we love. … Continue reading
James Thomson Golden Exile Independent Thomson returns with his third album, and his most accomplished work to date. Golden Exile is a record that will bring to mind the loose rhythms and grooves of The Rolling Stones and the melodic nuance of The Beatles. Throw into the mix that sweet intersection of 70s folk rock … Continue reading
Brisbane songwriter Mardi Lumsden has released this wonderful new folk single, ‘Heading Home’, the third to come from her debut album Hiatus. The song hits a soulful groove courtesy of the Hammond organ and her restrained voice with its sweet, soft, sleepy tones and blurred edges. According to Lumsden, “‘Heading Home’ is the feeling you … Continue reading
