Soft Place To Land
Self-Released, 2026
8/10
The classic country artist, Candace Hastings, is joined by an excellent cast for songs about places, people and emotions that embraces her cowgirl and indigenous heritage.
“Loving Cowboys” starts with Hastings’ warm voice and cozy guitar alongside Chris Gage’s mature keys in the heartfelt climate, and the title track follows with Lloyd Maines’ colorful mandolin adding much grace to the timeless Americana.
The midpoint belongs to the emotive “I Was That Woman”, where the pedal steel guitar and Dennis Ludiker’s fiddle tug on the heartstrings, while “Come Home” benefits from Pat Manske’s crisp drums amid Hastings’ soaring voice and the intimate storytelling.
Residing near the end, “As Eagles Fly” places Glen Fukunaga on bass guitar, which complements the soft singing of the eloquent album highlight, and “It’s Too Damn Hot” exits with an upbeat, dance floor ready mood thanks to the frisky guitars, strings, upright bass and drums.
A very authentic outing from the songstress, Hastings has been writings songs since the 5th grade, and her rural spirit is sure to impress the cowboys, cowgirls or anyone with an ear for country tinted sounds.
Travels well with: Sammi Accola- A Candle On A Busy Street; Hallie Grace- Motivation