Just Words
Self-Released, 2020
9/10
A Canadian songstress who is now 7 albums deep, Lynne Hanson delivers a more powerful and textured affair here, where her poetic approach flows with both intimacy and playfulness.
“True Blue Moon” starts the album with rich, country influenced sounds amid Hanson’s smooth, fluid pipes, and this formula continues to the spirited guitar work and cautious landscape of the organ friendly “Hearts Fade”, as well as the more folk traces of “Long Way Home”.
An extremely well thought out record, further on “Higher Ground” gets soulful and bluesy, while “Clean Slate”, armed with a slide guitar, enters dreamy territory with soaring vocals from Hanson that are nothing short of breath taking.
Closer to the end, “Every Minute In Between” injects pop ideas into the contemplative album highlight, and “Hemingway’s Songbird” continues the sophistication with calm keys amid a lush atmosphere of vulnerable melodies. “Would You Still” ends the album rhythmic and memorable, with roots rock traces in the adventurous exit.
A songstress who also has a background with jazz and bluegrass, Hanson embraces all the hallmarks of Americana here, and brings in an all star cast including Catherine MacLellan and Justin Rutledge to help illuminate these heartfelt and timeless gems.
Travels well with: Patty Griffin- American Kid; Catherine MacLellan- Coyote