Nowhere, Nebraska
Ponderosa, 2021
10/10
You’re probably not familiar with the name Ro Myra, but one listen of this Nebraska native’s rich and sweeping debut album, and you’ll likely find yourself an unwavering fan.
“Half The Time” opens the listen with much beauty as an intriguing warmth and dreaminess lends itself to folk and country qualities amid Myra’s expressive pipes, and “Mama” follows with breezy melodies and agile drumming alongside charming bass work to complement the poetic singing.
The middle tracks are equally inviting, and include the strategic organ and emotive demeanor of the lush “Jump In The Water”, while “More Than Just Okay” starts a cappella, and then blends aching pedal steel with the eloquent singing. “She’s Not The Road” then pick the pace and volume up with a timeless, pretty Americana strummer.
“Irene” and “Railroad Weed” exit the listen, where the former offers a sublime and reflective landscape, and the latter is textured with a firm rootsy appeal that’s focused, charming and just so memorable as Myra pays tribute to her late father.
Myra takes help from musicians like Darren Garvey (Elephant Revival), Joshua Grange (Lucinda Williams) and Vanessa McGowan (Brandy Clark), among others, and together they make for one of the best Americana-esque albums of 2021.
Travels well with: Dana Sipos- The Astral Plane; Ashley Riley- Set You Free