Rhinestone Tomboy
Kill Rock Stars, 2023
9/10
The diverse artist Mya Byrne continues her unique and thoughtful version of Americana on this first album on the Kill Rock Stars label, where the 12 songs present surround redemption, and were penned after Byrne became sober and was still sorting through trans life one day at a time.
“It Don’t Fade” gets the listen started off with more than a hint of Nashville- one of the places Byrne calls home- with its warm pedal steel and shuffling drumming amid the gritty melody, and “I’m Gonna Stop” follows with a breezy version of Americana that’s warm and benefits much from spirited organ.
Elsewhere, the buzzing psychedelia of “Come On” is full of a bristling energy, while “Smoking And Bones” unfolds in a haze of acoustic guitar, firm drums and soaring vocals.
Close the end, grab your cowboy boots for the frisky dance floor ready honky tonk of “Sweetheart Of Mine”, and “That’s What Lucky Means” exits with the demeanor of a raw tune emanating from an AM radio many decades ago.
Byrne splits time between Oakland, Brooklyn and Nashville, and brings influences from all those cities to this bluesy, indie-rock, dusty country and glam-pop fueled affair that’s an outlaw album of a very distinct kind that reacts to difficult times and captures the essence of being human.
Travels well with: Lauren Morrow- People Talk; Ben de la Cour- Shadow Land