Bright As You
Wavy Glass, 2021
9/10
The husband and wife duo of Sasha Papernik and Justin Poindexter, as Our Band the multi-instrumentalists birth an eclectic and distinct brand of Americana that takes nods to Eastern European ideas as they harmonize their way through 13 well thought out originals.
The pair start the album with the warm and charming “Priscilla”, where they deliver glowing vocal harmonies alongside Oliver Beardsley’s proficient drumming and David Amram’s french horn, and “Hazel” follows with a calmer approach that welcomes Leon Boykins on bass to complement the diverse Americana.
Further down the line, “Painting” benefits from Papernik’s graceful piano as the pair create much beauty in the cautious climate, while “More Than Friends” displays Rob Hecht’s violin and Rohin Khemani’s percussion amid the sublime, poetic landscape. One of the album’s best, “Just Remembering”, then pairs Papernik’s playful accordion with Eddie Barbash’s saxophone on a very unique brand of roots rock.
At the end, “Cool And Easy” is an intimate and emotive moment that’s executed with much attention to detail, and “I Find My Peace” exits the listen with brass, violin, and spirited guitars in a dreamy, absorbing finish to a very exciting listen.
Papernik’s classical music background and Russian heritage are meshed with Poindexter’s upbringing in North Carolina and exposure to folk, blues and country in easily enjoyable ways, and it makes for one of the most interesting Americana records you’ll hear this year.
Travels well with: Josie Bello- Have Purpose Live Long; Julia Kasdorf- Motel