Filament
Sparking Gap, 2023
8/10
The Nashville singer-songwriter Buddy Mondlock is making himself new fans wherever he goes, and these 11 new songs further cement his alluring storytelling abilities across some very diverse songs.
The title track opens the listen with Mondlock’s warm acoustic guitar and fluid singing that brings a very distinct version of Americana, and “Perfect” follows with a cozy dreaminess that’s romantic and mesmerizing.
Elsewhere, the setting is more full, with the groove friendly and lush “Sunlight In My Pocket”, where Josh Hunt’s precise drumming is appreciated, while “The Woman In The Window” recruits glowing pedal steel to the hypnotic album highlight.
Approaching the end, the busier “Problem Solved” makes great use of the energetic rhythm section amid Mondlock’s vivid wordplay, and “The Dark” exits the listen with stirring strings and spoken word in the eloquent and classically tinted finish.
Whether this is your first time with Mondlock or you’ve been following all along, you’re going to be impressed with his imagery, richness and gritty yet smooth version of roots/folk/Americana.
Travels well with: Justin Mayse- Bridges And Kerosene; Brian Blake- Book Of Life