Higher Up In The Hills
Self-Released, 2025
8/10
Listen to Higher Up In The Hills
The Mallett Brothers have been at it for 15 years, and their warm brand of country, rock and folk sounds better than ever across these 14 gritty and melodic tracks.
The cozy and flowing spirit of “Nothin’s Working” begins with well timed fiddle and some fuller bouts of soaring rock, and “Edgartown” follows with a scrappy presence, where crisp drumming and rugged singing illuminates the country-rock.
Halfway through, “The Valley Reel” carries some bluegrass sensibilities thanks to the rootsy strings and bouncy bass lines, while “Bandits” swirls with a harmonic energy, as the dynamic rhythm section suits the driving guitars and powerful pipes.
Landing close to the end, “Wind And Snow” balances rawness and melody via the timeless folk rock and “Faster Than It Appears” exits with poetic intimacy that’s heartfelt and timeless.
The brothers Will and Luke Mallett, and Nick Leen (bass), Andrew Martell (fiddle, mandolin), and Brian Higgins (drums) never disappoint, and this installment of their rural Maine spirited songwriting is yet another first rate version of modern Americana.
Travels well with: Hudson Mueller- Welcome To Earth; Shawna Virago- Blood In Her Dreams