Glory Daze
Self-Released, 2022
8/10
The Tennessee native Rachel McIntyre Smith turns in an impressive debut EP, where steel guitar, banjo, mandolin and 3 part harmonies are in attendance for the 6 tracks that explore life decisions through forest imagery.
The title track starts the listen with Smith’s gorgeous, inviting pipes that harmonize superbly alongside the warm instrumentation, and “Queen Of Our Hometown” follows with a more lush delivery that showcases the glowing mandolin and flowing banjo that allows for some pop moments, too.
“The Woulds” occupies the middle spot, and it’s an intimate song with stirring acoustic guitar amid Smith’s poetic and cozy pipes, while “First Love” uses steel guitar strategically, where a dreamy demeanor flows with much attention to mood.
“High School Reunion” is the last track, and it’s full of upbeat song craft that straddles country and pop with an appeal that will resonate worldwide and displays her clever wordplay.
It’s not hard to think of legends like Parton, Carlile, and Ronstandt when listening to Smith’s songs, and if she becomes the next household name in the area of country, it wouldn’t surprise me one bit and would be certainly be well deserved.
Travels well with: Stacy Antonel- Always The Outsider; Lynne Hanson- Ice Cream In November