Young Man In A Hurry

Jarvis

Coach House, 2020

9/10

Listen to Jarvis

A Chicago outfit spearheaded by Matt Baron, this first album from Young Man In A Hurry puts a unique twist on indie-rock, where a cello and horns are part of the equation, and appearances from players for Willie Nelson, Jeff Tweedy and Father John Misty are also present.

After the lead off track “A Natural Love”, where Baron’s energetic vocals guide the instantly memorable landscape and some cosmic moments arise, “Give Me Patience” follows as harmonica, synth and cello breed creative indie-pop.

An extremely varied debut, deeper tracks like “Many Things” recruit clarinet in the folk influenced atmosphere, while “Tired Of The Telephone” offers orchestral musicianship that leaves a big impression. “Joelle”, one of the album’s finest, then finds a moody place to reside, where tone is key and beauty flows in spades.

The band exit as memorable as they started, as “Eau Claire” gets a bit more muscular with a buzzing and kinetic conclusion that gets pretty close to alt-rock

A very colorful and exiting listen that’s lyrically very eloquent, Young Man In A Hurry are a breath of fresh air among the legions of indie-rock bands today, and Jarvis an excellent start to what I assume will be a luminous career.

Travels well with: Matt Pond PA- Still Summer; Wilco- Sky Blue Sky

Magic Sword

Endless

Joyful Noise, 2020

8/10

Listen to Endless

A synthwave trio Magic Sword return with a sophomore album where their drums, guitar and keyboard formula continue to fight the evil present in the multiverse via their sci-fi oriented approach.

Often slanted towards the ‘80s with their buzzing synth prowess, songs like “Depths Of Powers” are beat friendly, while “Invincible” brings an energy that’s post-punk tinted in a New Order sort of way.

An entirely instrumental effort, tracks like “Empress” bring cinematic qualities that are certainly not short on intrigue, and “Corruption” takes that lead a step further with plenty of ambience in the moody setting. The album exits strong with a firm initial orchestral appeal of “Endless”, but finishes with a soaring presence that’s both captivating and mysterious.

A band with a certain amount of secrecy surrounding them, Magic Sword play live dressed in cloaks and with masks, but their music certainly isn’t hiding anything as the electronic, retro fun present is far from just a novelty act.

Travels well with: Carpenter Brut- Leather Teeth; Lazerhawk- Visitors

The Claudettes

High Times In The Dark

Forty Below, 2020

9/10

Listen to High Times In The Dark

The Claudettes impressed me with 2018’s Dance Scandal At The Gymnasium, and this 5th album from the Chicago outfit brings another impressive handful of their self-described ‘garage cabaret’.

“Bad Babe Losin’ Touch” starts the listen with bright keys from Johnny Iguana, as well as playful rhythm and retro nods in the soulful setting, and “24/5” continues the fun with a rollicking piano fueled adventure where Berit Ulseth’s vocals soar high.

Closer to the middle, “Grandkids, Wave Bye-Bye” bounces with plenty of melody in the breezy, bluesy atmosphere, while “One Special Bottle”, the album highlight, then charms us with piano acrobatics amid a timeless energy. “I Don’t Do That Stuff Anymore” then brings us a duet with some folk qualities and both strong wordplay and percussion.

Deeper into the listen, “You Drummers Keep Breaking My Heart” offers expressive singing alongside moments of crunchy rock as Ulseth hits some pretty high notes, and the ballad, “The Sun Will Fool You”, finishes the listen emotive and restrained with just a piano guiding the warm exit.

Grammy winner Ted Hutt produced the effort and it sounds as great as you’d imagine as he captured their vintage appeal perfectly, clearly illustrating that The Claudettes’ blues, jazz, R&B, pop, and rock’n’roll hybrid has never sounded better.

Travels well with: Lake Street Dive- Free Yourself Up; Greyhounds- Cheyenne Valley Drive

Jacob Bellens

My Heart Is Hungry And The Days Go By So Quickly

hfn, 2020

8/10

Listen to My Heart Is Hungry And The Days Go By So Quickly

The Danish singer-songwriter Jacob Bellens returns with a 5th solo album, where his inimitable vocals and strong attention to melody unfold with an organic approach as he’s accompanied by an all star cast of players.

“Enterprise” starts the listen soft and dreamy with hushed vocals from Bellens as the setting builds into a lush display of indie-folk, and “Summer Sadness” follows with flowing melodies in the cautious landscape.

In the middle, “I Want You” moves with an agile, soulful appeal, while “Daylight” benefits greatly from mood in its bare execution of restrained beauty where a sitar highlights the love song. “Sun Has Gone”, one of the album’s best, then recruits playful rhythm and an infectious beat in one of the more upbeat selections.

Near the end, “Till The Walls Come Down Around Us” flirts with some electronica and jazz as horns enter the equation, and “Electric Tension” exits the listen with an almost tropical feel of multifaceted skill.

A listen that’s rich both musically and lyrically, Bellens pens both dark and light textures and often with a surreal quality that never leaves it unclear as to why he’s one of the most revered artists on the Scandinavian music scene.

Travels well with: Kasper Bjorke- After Forever; The Magnetic Fields- Realism

Backtrack Blues Band

Your Baby Has Left

VizzTone, 2020

8/10

Listen to Your Baby Has Left

The Florida veterans Backtrack Blues Band return with one of the best records in their 40+ year career, where excellent production and recording to analog tape help capture the energy and detailed musicianship present on Your Baby Has Left.

After the soaring guitars and energetic rhythm of “Best Friend’s Grave”, “Your Baby Has Left” follows with spirited harmonica on the soulful, bluesy delivery where frontman Sonny Charles signs powerfully.

Elsewhere, the groove friendly “Killin’ Time” will get your body moving and shaking to its bouncy tempo, while “Natural Born Lover” flows with a timeless rock’n’roll spirit amid the playful blues. “You’ll Come Back Someday”, one of the album’s best, then offers infectious harmonica solos amid the organ fills from Bruce Katz, not to mention the dynamic work from the rhythm section.

At the end, “She Might Get Mad” points towards the early days of rock’n’roll with strategic piano and call and response vocals, and “Times Is Hard” finishes out the calmer but no less impactful in its horn friendly, slow burning exit.

A listen with plenty of Chicago influences as well as guitar indebted to Texas lineage, this 7th album from Backtrack Blues Band is a must hear for those who prefer their blues authentic and with zero filler included.

Travels well with: Phantom Blues Band- Still Cookin’; 11 Guys Quartet- Small Blues And Grooves

Schapiro 17

New Shoes: Kind Of Blue At 60

Set Summit, 2020

8/10

Listen to New Shoes: Kind Of Blue At 60

A tribute to Miles Davis’ Kind Of Blue recording, for its 60th anniversary Jon Schapiro has assembled a 17 piece orchestra to rework the legendary record, while also injecting 7 originals across the double disc.

The Schapiro original “Boiled Funk” starts the listen with a bouncy, playful setting before calming down as horns enter the unpredictable atmosphere, and “Foiled Funk”, by Roberta Piket, follows wth piano acrobatics in the highly intricate delivery.

Of the Miles Davis tunes, “So What” flows with dynamic interplay between the keys, brass and quick percussion as the trombone solos shine bright, while “Blue In Green” recruits vibrant big band melodies with much emphasis on saxophone as it moves from swing friendly to ballad territory. The best Davis selection and album highlight, “Flamenco Sketches”, then brings us nearly 10 minutes of spirited guitar work amid the bold brass fun.

Disc 2 highlights of the originals include the playful jazz and frisky rhythm of “Boiled In Funk 4: Old Feet, New Shoes”, as well as the busy, ultra melodic exit “Boiled Funk/Theme”, which benefits greatly from the agile trombones.

Both an arranger and composer and a current professor, Schapiro and company place a thriving new twist on classic tunes while also staying true to their creative spirit, and the originals display much ingenuity, too.

Travels well with: The Tnek Jazz Quintet- Plays The Music Of Sam Jones; Funk Shui NYC- Shark NATO On A Plane

John Blues Boyd

What My Eyes Have Seen…

Gulf Coast, 2020

9/10

Listen to What My Eyes Have Seen…

John Blues Boyd has a lived a life full enough for two people, and here, with the help of Guy Hale and Kid Andersen, they pen tunes that point towards the events that Boyd has lived through, i.e. the oppression, struggle and segregation of the Afro American community.

Boyd starts the listen with the charged guitars and gritty vocals of “In My Blood”, where rhythm and blues flow with a timeless quality, and the title track follows with soulful swagger as Boyd’s deep vocals complement the reflective tone well.

Boyd makes each of the 9 tracks count, as “I Heard The Blues” recruits spirited organs in the harmonica friendly setting, while “Why Did You Take That Shot?” trims the pace back with horns and plenty of emotion in the slow burning affair.

Near the end, the rock’n’roll shuffle of “That Singing Roofer” helps make this bouncy tune the album’s best, and “Got To Leave My Mark” finishes off the autobiographical record with strategic keys and plenty of warmth in the spirited exit.

Even though Boyd has lived through some very dark moments in American history, the music here is often glorious, uplifting even. An effort that should be required listening for those to understand just how detrimental to society racism and inequality are, Boyd’s brand of gospel just happens to be some fantastic modern blues that we will never tire of.

Travels well with: Albert Castiglia- Wild And Free; Billy Price- Dog Eat Dog

Albert Castiglia

Wild And Free

Gulf Coast, 2020

9/10

Listen to Wild And Free

Recorded live at The Funky Biscuit in Boca Raton, Florida, Albert Castiglia is in great company here as Mike Zito, John Ginty and Lewis Stephens contribute to the gritty, guitar fueled, blues performance.

“Big Dog” starts the set with soaring guitar work from Castiglia in the energetic blues setting as organs punctuate the mood, and “Hoodoo On Me” continues the energy with strong riffage and thick rhythm in the memorable atmosphere.

At 11 tunes, Castiglia keeps the landscape consistent with the roaring quality and acrobatic keys of the anthemic “Get Your Ass In The Van”, as well as the more restrained “Searching The Desert For The Blues”, where a soulful quality enters the firm blues template.

Deeper into the performance, “Loving Cup” contains some of the best guitar solos as the emotive delivery from Castiglia makes this one of the best tracks present, and “Boogie Funk” certainly adds some funk prowess to the rock’n’roll spirit that permeates the entire listen.

Castiglia’s had an impressive career that began working alongside Junior Wells and Sandra Hall. Now 9 solos album deep, the virtuoso is seeing more praise than ever, and if you listen to this exceptional display of his unparalleled blues skill, you’ll see why.

Travels well with: Mike Zito & Friends- Rock’n’Roll: A Tribute To Chuck Berry; Billy Price- Dog Eat Dog

The Tnek Jazz Quintet

Plays The Music Of Sam Jones

Tnek Jazz, 2020

8/10

Listen to Plays The Music Of Sam Jones

Composed of Kent Miller (bass), Darius Scott (keys), Greg Holloway (drums), Antonio Parker (alto sax) and Benn Russell (tenor & soprano sax), The Tnek Jazz Quintet turn in 6 interpretations of tunes by Sam Jones and a lone Kenny Barron song on this nostalgic effort where the rhythm section shines bright amid the glowing horns.

“Unit 7” starts the listen playfully and quite melodic with frisky keys and smooth rhythm, and “Bittersuite” follows with flawless brass interplay and a contagious energy, as does the timeless bouncy jazz fun of “Some More Of Dat”.

The back half of the album offers the piano acrobatics and flowing dynamics of “O.P.”, while “Del Sasser” swings with a momentum that will get your body moving. “Tragic Magic” exits the listen with each player showing their respective talent on the busy and infectious jazz stunner.

As far as tributes go, it doesn’t get much better than this. The Tnek Jazz Quintet pay homage to one of the greats with their own spin, while still remaining true to the spirit Jones famously put on the originals.

Travels well with: Paul Shaw Quintet- Moment Of Clarity; Alberto Pibiri- Jazz Legacy

Max Zuckerman

The Corner Office

Galtta, 2020

9/10

Listen to The Corner Office

The Galtta label is never in short supply of outsider pop releases, and here the guitarist for Blue Jazz TV, Max Zuckerman, takes significant nods to the past with his jazz, disco, and psychedelic pop ideas on the flawlessly executed The Corner Office.

“Wakai Tsubame” starts off with soulful disco sounds that brings us back to the ‘70s with smooth vocals from Zuckerman, and “Gaijin” continues the throwback sounds with a dreamier setting of cautious melodies.

The back half of the listen offers us the rich, groove filled “Airplane Girl”, where bouncy bass lines help illuminate the stand out tune, though “Busy Day” is a close second with its dance floor friendly rhythm. The title track finishes off the effort, where R&B flavor unfolds with both grace and playfulness as spirited guitars highlight the charming exit.

Zuckerman handles guitar, bass, keys and vocals here, while 2 different drummers divide up the tracks and David Lackner offers strategic horns and EWI. Though there’s just 6 tunes, they all surpass 5 minutes as Zuckerman and company cultivate a sophisticated presence with a timeless appeal on this very limited cassette.

Travels well with: Billy N’ Dave- Share My Chaise; Alice Cohen- Artificial Fairytales

Caroline Blind

The Spell Between

Motherofskye, 2020

8/10

Listen to The Spell Between

The former frontwoman for the goth/triphop/darkwave outfit Sunshine Blind, though they broke up in the early 2000's, Caroline Blind’s creative spirit is clearly not going away anytime soon, as she comes through with the Gothic folk record, The Spell Between.

“First” starts with ethereal ambience before picked strings enter the mysterious and dreamy atmosphere, and “God Damn The Sun” follows with soaring vocals in the gorgeous acoustic delivery that’s immediately captivating.

In the middle, “Death To Sleep” recruits playful beats in a more ominous landscape of electronica with a drum machine, while “Regodless”glides with a surreal feeling of hazy pop ideas. “Need To Say”, one of the most intriguing tunes, then offers post-punk undertones amid a light and airy folk ballad.

Near the end, the last tune that isn’t a remix is “Ain’t No Sunshine”, where spirited guitars and soft and agile singing illuminates the Bill Withers tune well, and the remainder of the album offers two remixes, the best being the “Death To Sleep (Alt Mix)”, which presents a busy display of multifaceted skill from Blind.

An extremely forthright listen lyrically, Blind’s dealt with much in her life and her stories come out in a poetic fashion with an artistic quality that often examines the darker side of life with stirring results.

Travels well with: Wood River- More Than I Can See; Grey McMurray- Stay Up

Chinese Man + Scratch Bandits Crew + Baja Frequencia

The Groove Sessions Vol. 5

Chinese Man, 2020

8/10

Listen to The Groove Sessions Vol. 5

The Chinese Man labels offers us a special treat for their 15 year anniversary as a label with this Baja Frequencia, Scratch Bandits Crew and Chinese Man collaboration where trip-hop, dub, scratch music and plenty of other influences are present in spades.

“Hold Tight” starts the listen with much emphasis on strings before dense hip-hop enters the playful setting, and “Break Down” follows with a buzzing display of glitchy electro-pop fun.

Elsewhere, “Party At Jay’s” brings some island flavor into the rhythmic landscape and cumbia nods, while “Ayalamih” recruits several vocalists and some spacey moments in the busy and melodic dub atmosphere. “Bonde Do Gigi”, one of the album’s best, then alternates between bright and creative electronica and quieter ebbs of careful song craft.

Deeper cuts recruit the innovative sound manipulation of “You Can Go…”, and “Just Before” exits the listen with many soundbites and a cosmic influence to the energetic, instantly mesmerizing music.

The 3 bands isolated themselves in the mountains for a week to produce these 15 tracks, and the result is a listen that’s not to be missed if you’re a fan of anything on the Chinese Man label or have an affinity for old school beats and dance floor friendly ingenuity.

Travels well with: Baja Frequencia- Hot Kats; Tumi & Chinese Man- The Journey

Rory Block

Prove It On Me

Stony Plain, 2020

8/10

Listen to Prove It On Me

This sophomore album from Rory Block’s Power Women of the Blues series takes a unique approach, as she interprets 9 tunes from underrated, strong blues women like Arizona Dranes, Elvie Thomas, Madlyn Davis and Rosetta Howard, to name a few, while contributing one of her own.

“He May Be Your Man” starts the listen playfully with Block’s soulful and soaring pipes alongside strategic bass lines, and “It’s Red Hot” follows with breezy melodies in the funk filled landscape.

Elsewhere, Block puts her country influenced twist on Ma Rainey’s “Prove It On Me” while “I Shall Wear A Crown” brings in backing vocals on the gospel spirited album highlight. “Wayward Girl Blues”, another stand out tune, then offers cautious rhythm amid some pop friendly melodies.

The sole Block original, “Eagles”, is the ballad of the album, where sublime beauty surrounds the emotive atmosphere, and “Motherless Child” exits the listen vocally strong with precise acoustic guitar in the bluesy finish.

Blocks makes all the songs her own here, as her slide guitar sounds better than ever, while the veteran songstress proves just why she’s won countless awards and has released 30+ well received albums. Hopefully bringing more visibility to these underappreciated artists, this is a covers record unlike any you’ve heard before or will likely hear again.

Travels well with: Janiva Magness- Change In The Weather; Sue Foley- The Ice Queen

Vlad Holiday

Fall Apart With Me

AWAL, 2020

8/10

Listen to Fall Apart With Me

This first EP from the Romania native and New York City resident Vlad Holiday brings his multi-instrumental prowess and vocal skills into a listen that displays his vast skill well.

“Phonograph” starts the listen and dives right into an atmospheric and expertly textured landscape of cautious indie-rock, and “Lazy” continues the mood with a dreamy approach that recruits a memorable guitar solo.

The back half of the EP doesn’t disappoint either, and offers the cosmic, propulsive instrumental “NY Midnight”, while “Forget” brings a calmer display of subdued beauty before building into buzzing electro-pop. “Twisted The Covers” exits the listen vocally expressive and with a multifaceted approach of light and dark dynamics which illustrates his varied song craft.

Holiday wrote, recorded and produced the entire affair, using retro instruments to produce a very modern sound. An excellent first outing, it will be interesting to see where he goes next with his art.

Travels well with: Tame Impala- Currents; Cigarettes After Sex- Cry

Lilly Hiatt

Walking Proof

New West, 2020

9/10

Listen to Walking Proof

A songstress who can seemingly do no wrong, this 4th album from Lilly Hiatt puts her in great company as she pens her most mature record to date while expanding from her country roots into various versions of rock’n’roll.

“Rae”, written for her sister, starts the listen bare with Hiatt’s sweet pipes alongside a soft guitar before building into a spirited Americana setting, and “P-Town” follows with a punchy pop-rock feeling and some memorable guitar crunch.

Further on, “Candy Lunch” enters balladry as light and melodic touches highlight the calm atmosphere, while the rhythmic and pop friendly “Walking Proof” makes good use of fiddle and backing vocals from Amanda Shires. The album highlight arrives late, as the gritty yet tuneful “Brightest Star” offers playful roots rock while hinting at some punk energy from Hiatt.

Near the end, “Move” touches on the songstresses deeply ingrained country roots with soft melodies and Luke Schneider’s pedal steel, and “Scream” exits the listen sparse, with much attention to atmosphere on the slow burning finish where blues and soul nods are in attendance.

Hiatt has sorted through plenty of turmoil in her life, including sobriety and the suicide of her mother, and she’s always been able to turn life’s obstacles into great song craft. Walking Proof includes some of her best work to date, and again illustrates just why she’s one of today’s best songwriters.

Travels well with: Aaron Lee Tasjan- Karma For Cheap; Andrew Combs- Ideal Man

Thomm Jutz

To Live In Two Worlds: Volume 1

Mountain Home, 2020

8/10

Listen to To Live In Two Worlds: Volume 1

The esteemed songwriter Thomm Jutz takes an interesting route here by combining a solo record with a bluegrass record, and he’s got an all star ensemble to help him flesh out the varied and thoughtful song craft.

“Mill Town Blues” starts the album with blues acrobatics in the harmonic and quick paced affair, and “I Long To Hear Them Testify” follows with a calmer setting of soulful, bluesy influenced sounds.

Towards the middle, “Moving Up, Moving On” brings a melodic country spirit with expressive singing from Jutz, while “Blind Alfred Reed” enters ballad territory with vivid storytelling amid timeless beauty. “Jimmie Rodgers Rode A Train”, the album’s standout tune, then recruits folk-like qualities in the slow burning effort.

Closer to the end, “Wilmer Mclean” benefits greatly from the dynamic, organic instrumentation and multiple voices, and “Yesterday And Tomorrow” finds a playful place to reside with freewheelin’ fun alongside harmony vocals. “What’ll They Think Of Last” exits the listen sparse and genuine, where Jutz’s agile vocals are complemented by soft guitar.

Jutz has made quite an impression lately playing with Eric Brace and Peter Cooper, and here he again proves he can also pen a solo album that you won’t forget anytime soon.

Travels well with: Fireside Collective- Elements; Sideline- Breaks To The Edge

Svjetlana Bukvich

Extension

Navona, 2020

8/10

Listen to Extension

A composer and media artist who is well versed in classical, world music, avant garde and experimental sounds, Svjetlana Bukvich uses technology, music and the motions of dance on the highly atypical and often fascinating album, Extension.

“The Beginning” gets the listen off to an atmospheric start with bare, plucked strings amid spacey exploration that even offers an electric violin, and this leads into “Utopia”, where keys and violin interact together as wordless vocals guide the light, airy setting.

Things only get more unpredictable from here, including the calm, orchestral delivery of “Once You Are Not A Stranger”, while “Graves” soars with a darker quality of chanting like qualities and meditative ideas. “Once You Are Not A Stranger (vocal)”, one of the album’s best, then brings in an operatic approach to the sparse beauty.

Near the end, “Nema Te (You Aren’t Here, You Aren’t There)” uses repetition strategically in the quirky effort, and the 3rd version of “Once You Are Not A Stranger (Reprise)” exits the listen with a cinematic quality as sweeping beauty enters the affair.

Bukvich’s musical vision strives for a ‘no-genre-borderless-flow’ with her art, and I’d say she easily achieves that with Extension, as she manipulates style, time and musical history in a few that few would dare to try to.

Travels well with: Taktus- Mirrored Glass; Moto Celeste- Trio Casals 

Simon Fisher Turner & Edmund De Waal

A Quiet Corner In Time

Mute, 2020

8/10

Listen to A Quiet Corner In Time

Two very creative minds come together here on an unclassifiable listen where art and drama meet with a highly experimental template as Simon Fisher Turner, who has had a lengthy career in glam, pop and ambient sounds, and Edmund De Waal, a ceramicist and author, bring a wealth of ideas to the table.

“The Museums With Long Halls” starts the listen with plenty of atmosphere as ambient sounds and a spacey backdrop enters the ominous tone, and “We Begin To Be Certain” follows with a sci-fi appeal of precise sound manipulation.

Later on, “The Children Will Have To Stop” finds a cinematic place to reside with almost alien-esque noises amid the droning landscape, while “A Quiet Corner In Time” offers 5 minutes of pushing and pulling between tension and calm.

Near the end, “They Could Visit” sounds like it could soundtrack a video game in another dimension, and “You Don’t Have To Go Anywhere” exits the listen with a sparse introduction that builds into a haunting execution of iconoclastic song craft.

If there’s anything else out there that resembles the music made here, I certainly haven’t heard it. As long as you’re open to the unconventional and willing to embrace the unusual, A Quiet Corner In Time will captivate and inspire.

Travels well with: Loveletter- Beethoven Chopin Kitchen Fraud; King Of Luxembourg-Sir 

Mustangs Of The West

Time

Blué Elan, 2020

9/10

Listen to Time

The Southern California residents Mustangs Of The West don’t disappoint on this debut album, where 3 and 4 part harmonies are used expertly across Americana, country and rock sounds that are both nostalgic and modern.

The album leads with “Long Gone Down The Road”, where soft and sweet vocals from Suzanna Spring align with breezy melodies from the band, and “How Blue”, the first single, offers an infectious hook amid a jangly and retro setting where Aubrey Richmond’s violin leaves an indelible mark.

Near the middle, “Potter’s Field” allows Spring’s vocals to soar high in the contemplative and emotive atmosphere, while “Dancing On The Moon” brings the listen into ballad territory with gorgeous musicianship, particularly with the strings. “Time”, the album’s best, then benefits greatly from Rusty Young’s pedal steel in the lush and textured environment.

Near the end, “This Is Me Leaving” is timeless, heartfelt country sounds that are instantly memorable and “Seven Summers” ends the listen soft and agile with an acoustic guitar supporting the pretty execution.

Originally called Mustangs, these talented women made quite an impression in the ‘80s and ‘90s when they were very much a part of the Los Angeles cow punk scene, and here they return with 3 original members, basically picking up where they left off in the ‘90s. Thirty years is a long time to anticipate a first album but in this case it was worth the wait.

Travels well with: Rosie Flores- Working Girls Guitar; Patty Griffin- American Kid

Sarah Lee Langford

Two Hearted Rounder

Cornelius Chapter, 2019

9/10

Listen to Two Hearted Rounder

This debut from the exceptionally talented Sarah Lee Langford brings in some of Albama’s finest- including the always impressive Will Stewart- as the songstress keeps her southern roots intact on this Americana inspired listen.

The title track starts the affair with warm Americana and pretty vocals from Langford as a fluid country spirit helps highlight the opener, and “Painted Lady” follows with a quick pace where intricate guitar work complements the rugged landscape.

The remainder of the album is equally strong, including the simmering, introspective strumming of the poetic “What Came First”, as well as the vocally expressive “Coattails”, a track so well crafted, it’s worth the price of admission by itself.

Back half highlights include the dreamy rural beauty of “Watch Me”, while “Keep Your Diamonds” is a percussion heavy moment with some of the strongest musicianship present. “Sing My Own Love Song” ends the listen gentle yet dramatic with an aching quality, as Langford finds an intimate place to exit the record.

With plenty of folk and country nods in her timeless formula, Langford has created a moving, classic and textured album, that, for a first record, is one hell of a starting point.

Travels well with: Helene Cronin- Old Ghosts & Lost Causes; Susan Gibson- The Hard Stuff