In The Center
Self-Released, 2021
9/10
We’ve all heard plenty of banjo-friendly tunes across many different genres, but the Portland, Oregon artist Gregory Mulkern is on a path entirely his own, and as Banjolectric he makes every sound on this worldly version of indie-folk with a 5-string banjo and occasional help from some friends.
“Everything I Need” gets the listen off to a unique version of Americana, where precise banjo and vocal harmonies unfold with a cautious and warm delivery, and “How We Get Through” follows with intricate banjo prowess alongside sublime vocal layering that actually takes influence from the ska of The Specials.
The middle tracks offer us the upbeat and stylish “My Eyes”, where a curious brand of folk and soul is present in the timeless love song, while “افترقنا / To Be Alive” recruits Hana Thaalbi on vocals and Paul Evansmith handling digital instruments as a more dramatic landscape benefits from the eclectic ideas.
Near the end, “Lion’s Den” welcomes Leslie Miller’s clarinet into the quirky world pop tune that’s actually one of Mulkern’s first songs, and “Silence” exits the listen with expressive storytelling weaving in and out of firm, cinematic moments that are as mesmerizing as they are creative.
Banjolectric have already touched on funk, Latin and R&B, and here they find plenty of grooves while swinging playfully and even flirt with grunge, as Mulkern is essentially forging a new variation of Americana that you can’t help but admire.
Travels well with: Elder Jack Ward- Already Made; Quiet Marauder- The Gift