Head Above Water
Self-Released, 2022
8/10
Even though this is her debut album, the North Carolina resident Heather Sarona has been playing music since the age of 14, when she discovered her dad’s old guitar. Also skilled at banjo and ukulele, the singer-songwriter pens 9 very well thought out and articulate tracks here.
The title track starts the listen with warm acoustic guitar and strategic banjo, as Sarona’s pretty, poetic vocals unfold with a very wise and soothing spirit to guide the timeless Americana, and “Better Than What I Got” follows with a more bare approach that brings dreamy instrumentation to the soft melodies.
Further along, “For Me” makes great use of mandolin amid the plucked bass and reflective singing, while “Fool” is a more upbeat delivery of cautious and mature songwriting that really showcases Sarona’s versatile pipes.
Approaching the end, “Don’t Want To Let It Go” might be the quickest tune, where the swift string interaction touches on bluegrass, and “Window To Break” exits the listen with folk-rock tendencies as Sarona and company get more firm but still very harmonic.
Sarona’s in some great company here, including Andrew Marlin (Mandolin Orange, Watchhouse), Libby Rodenbough (Mipso), Sarah McCombie (Chatham Rabbits) and Lizzy Ross (Violet Bell) on harmonies, as well as Hank Smith on banjo, Marcel Ardans on guitar, Alex Bingham on bass, and Jason Cecil on percussion. Together, they illuminate her folk, Americana and bluegrass ways with much poise and beauty, and it makes for an excellent first record.
Travels well with: The Whitmore Sisters- Ghost Stories; Sad Daddy- Way Up In The Hills