Couple(t)s
Self-Released, 2025
9/10
The duo of Jordan Crosby and Jodi Hildebran, who are husband and wife, as Couldn’t Be Happiers they bring their diverse vision to folk sounds for these 12 songs that often explore the dynamics of their marriage.
Hildebran’s warm voice joins the playful guitar and drumming of the upbeat opener, “Come Back Tomorrow”, and “When I Die” follows with cozy acoustic guitar and Crosby’s vivid storytelling that touches on folk ideas that’s not short on harmonies.
Closer to the middle, “Tear It Down” welcomes Jack Gorman’s lively accordion and Kenny Butler’s radiant trumpet for the anthemic climate, while “Pretty Polly” showcases Nick Nathey’s well timed pedal steel via the rugged interplay that’s got some rootsy flavor to it.
Deeper still, “I Got You” has Hildebran playing harmonica and drums amid Doug Davis’ guitar, bass and percussion for the scrappy, country-esque delivery, and “Lydia’s Bridge” exits with intimacy and grace thanks to Pete Pawsey’s banjo and lap steel that suit the poetic wordplay.
A varied effort that can be haunting, find plenty of grooves and also emit protest songs, the pair pen a relevant, heartfelt and sometimes powerful display of song craft that you won’t soon forget.
Travels well with: The Davenports- You Could Have Just Said That; E.W. Harris- Machine Living In Relief