Sara Trunzo

Cabin Fever Dream

Self-Released, 2021

9/10

Listen to Cabin Fever Dream

The New Jersey native and longtime Maine resident Sara Trunzo spent much of her 20’s working with food banks to get organic food into the hands of those struggling with poverty, and it was after the abrupt end of a 10 year relationship that she dove head first into songwriting, which brings us to this very articulate EP.

“Kind Bone” serves as our introduction to Cabin Fever Dream, where her Nashville inspired vocals align sublimely with Adam Ollendorff’s warm pedal steel and the soulful backing vocals, and the thoughtful climate continues with the breezy melody and vivid storytelling of “I Work Saturdays”.

“Nashville Time” occupies the middle spot and is quite playful in a pop-friendly sort of way that’s certainly indebted to country ideas, too, while “Free For The Taking” displays Kris Donegan’s precise guitar playing alongside Jamie Dick’s agile drumming amid the folk inspired climate.

The last track is undoubtedly the best, where Dave Cohen’s graceful keys complement Trunzo’s intimate pipes as she births a very heartfelt version of Americana that comes with much depth lyrically, and musically offers a very rich, absorbing delivery.

It’s quite apparent that Trunzo has engaged in some self-examination lately, and that combined with her insightful observations makes for strong wordplay to complement the varied instrumentation that easily puts Trunzo’s work in a category as one of the best Americana EPs of 2021.

Travels well with: Kashena Sampson- Time Machine; Selena Rosanbalm- Selena Rosanbalm