Old Kind Of Magic
Loose Music, 2022
8/10
Stephen Harms and Devin Tuel, i.e. Native Harrow, return with their 5th album, and it’s one of their most focused and intimate efforts yet, where many ideas are embraced via their unique form of Americana.
“Song For Joan” starts the listen with expressive and fluid singing in the very mature, graceful climate of warm keys, and the title track follows with a dreamy spirit of retro folk ideas in the highly soulful delivery.
Halfway through, “Used To Be Free” showcases Alex Hall’s flowing piano amid the jazzy nods, while “As It Goes” benefits much from Georgina Leach’s layered one woman strings in the nostalgic landscape.
Approaching the end, “I Remember” pairs the poetic singing with Joe Harvey-Whyte’s well timed pedal steel for the album’s best, and “Find A Reason” exits with a stirring display of gentle acoustic guitar and pretty singing.
A listen that reminds us of the Laurel Canyon scene, just as it does ‘70s psychedelia, Harms handles guitar, bass, oud, piano, organ, rhodes and percussion and Tuel holds down vocals, guitar, percussion and keys. Together, with their guests, they make for a rich, sweeping and eclectic folk-rock affair.
Travels well with: Reed Turchi- I’ve Chosen Love; Joe And The Feels- Unsupervised