Plastic Flowers
Star Catcher, 2024
8/10
The Austin resident Nichole Wagner knows her way around an Americana song you won’t soon forget, and here she’s added folk, pop and rock to the 10 relatable tracks.
The lively drumming and warm strumming of “Monsters” starts the listen with Wagner’s spirited voice radiating much beauty, and “Raised By Wolves” follows with fluid electric guitar and bright storytelling for the folk influenced delivery.
The title track occupies the middle spot and it’s got some grit amid the melodic gestures, while the swift “I Know Better This Time” comes with a punchy mood of playful, rootsy flavor.
Deeper still, “Until The Water Comes” emits charming vocal harmonies amid the breezy and eloquent demeanor that makes this the album’s best, and “Road That Jim Built” exits with dreamy acoustic guitar and eloquent wordplay for an intimate finish.
The framework for these songs began during the Covid lockdowns, and similarities to Neko Case or Jenny Lewis won’t be hard to recognize or appreciate thanks to the heartfelt song craft and timeless nature of Wagner’s vision.
Travels well with: Emily Hicks- Weird Wild Wonderful; Ashley E. Norton- Call Of The Void