Selena Rosanbalm
Self-Released, 2020
9/10
After a hiatus from music to sort through a traumatic loss, the Austin songstress Selena Rosanbalm returns with her first solo record, where the artist is more forthright than ever, and even brings in a rougher side to her craft with a more powerful approach, both musically and lyrically.
Rosanbalm starts the listen with the inviting percussion of “Gut Punch”, before warm slide guitar and her expressive pipes enter the rootsy setting, and “Divide” continues the thoughtful atmosphere with a reflective mood that suits the introspective wordplay.
Elsewhere, “Forever And Evermore” gets a bit more firm vocally and musically, though still with plenty of beauty, while “How Would You Paint Me” finds an ebullient place to reside as a bluesy guitar solo complements the emotive, dynamic interplay between Cat Clemons III, Lindsay Greene, and James Gwyn. “We’ll Catch Up”, an album stand out, then really showcases Rosanbalm’s gorgeous singing in the soulful nature of the sublime timelessness.
The final two tracks, “Patriot” and “Can You Really Be Gone”, make an impression, too, as the former offers a fuller, rugged rock spirited tune that’s quite political, and the latter is eloquent, gentle and with much elegance as moving balladry finishes the articulate record.
Formerly at the helm of Rosie and the Ramblers, who were very much involved in honky tonk and Western swing, this cathartic album on her own has Rosanbalm spreading her wings into garage rock and blues territory as she pens a very political and personal effort that’s as memorable as it is captivating.
Travels well with: Stephanie Lambring- Autonomy; Brennen Leigh- Prairie Love Letter