The Hello Darlins Hit All the Right Notes

The Hello Darlins
“The Alders & The Ashes”
Continental Record Services
2024

Canadian Americana band The Hello Darlins consists of highly skilled session musicians who have spent years refining their craft by supporting other artists. In 2016, the three founding members—Candace Lacina as lead vocalist, Mike Little on keyboards and vocals, and Murray Pulver on guitar—formed the group, which often features a stellar cast of guest musicians they’ve met throughout their musical journey. The band delivers a contagious collection of well-crafted original songs with an easygoing, positive vibe.

The band’s second album, “The Alders & The Ashes,” fulfills the promise of their impressive 2021 debut, “Go by Feel.” This release features two CDs of engaging songs, highlighted by Lacina’s beautiful, expressive vocals and an outstanding group of guest musicians, including Russell Broom on guitar, Chad Cromwell on drums, and Bob Glaub on bass. Themes explored here span a wide range of life experiences and emotions, all while holding onto hope.

The collection starts with “Forgiving Cain and Loving Abel,” exploring themes of dealing with pain and conflicting feelings. This is followed by the album's best track, “What Is a Broken Heart For?”, an upbeat, sassy supplication that should be played on every country radio station. Next, J.D. Edwards lends his vocals to “Sea That Meets the Sky,” which contemplates life’s greater meaning.

The next two songs, “Lay Down Low” and “Highway 355,” are clearly very personal. While the former aims to slow down and process life as it comes, the latter is a loving reflection on a loved one lost to dementia. This is followed by Dave Fenley’s well-timed, beautiful, and humble guest vocals on “Better Days,” which is an uplifting assertion that better times are coming.

“Don't You Fall” envisions our existence from nature's vantage point, contemplating what trees have observed and "the conversations that you have overheard." It is an intriguing thought that underscores the depth of Lacina and Little’s songwriting.

Failed relationships are left behind on “Carefree Arizona,” and “Died with His Boots On” is an upbeat tribute to Lacina’s grandfather’s life, featuring her lively yodeling performance.

“Reasons to Cry” candidly expresses the grief and heavy emotions that come with losing a loved one, while “Best Worst Mistake” explores the feelings that arise after the end of a relationship. One of the album's standout moments features the breathtaking, yearning vocals of guest artist Ruby Friedman on the poignant track “Lonely Shore,” which conveys a deep sense of longing.

The uptempo “Mama Knows” celebrates drawing emotional strength through a maternal spirit. Guitarist Murray Pulver then takes center stage with his lead vocals on “Do It Up Right,” a song about living with passion and embracing life.

The album ends with “Devil in the Dark,” a blues-inspired track that examines our darker motives, and “Stranger in the Mirror,” featuring Martin Sexton's guest vocals, which expresses the discontent of losing our sense of self through pretension and compromise.

The best quality in music is authenticity, and The Hello Darlins deliver exactly that. They are honest poets and musicians of the highest caliber, whose sincerity and collective talent will continue to grow their audience. 

The August Empire's Before the Hereafter

The August Empire
“Before the Hereafter”
(self-released)
2013

In the summer of 2013, Dante Marchi and Liz Constantine debuted their first album as The August Empire, titled “Before the Hereafter.” Their journey began years earlier during a TV commercial recording session, where they spent hours sharing a microphone. Their friendship blossomed into a relationship, paving the way for them to collaborate on songwriting.

Marchi grew up in Texas, immersed in country music, while Constantine enjoyed the Beatles and classical music in upstate New York, learning to play classical flute. Their excellent and diverse styles combine to create something beautiful and unique. The album gained attention when the song "There's a Rumor" was featured on the NBC TV series The Night Shift.

The duo wrote all the tracks on “Before the Hereafter,” except for a cover of Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb.” Crafted with acoustic guitar and piano, their compositions are beautifully complemented by light strings and mandolin, courtesy of Rich Hyland. The overall sound is genuinely organic, capturing the essence of Americana without lapsing into clichéd modern country music themes. Instead, we are treated to melodic pieces that reflect their understanding of love's peaks and valleys, self-doubt, and our deep longing for connection and acceptance.

Highlights from the album include “There's a Rumor,” “Letting Go,” and “October.”

Revisiting T Bone Burnett's Milestone in Americana Music from the 1980s

T Bone Burnett
“T Bone Burnett”
MCA/Dot
1986

By 1986, T Bone Burnett had achieved more in the music industry than most. In the mid-seventies, he was part of Bob Dylan’s traveling show, The Rolling Thunder Review. He had released three albums with the Alpha Band, three solo LPs, and two EPs. He held production credits for projects with Delbert McClinton, the BoDeans, Maria Muldaur, and Elvis Costello, and was just getting started. He was destined to become one of the industry's most sought-after producers in the years to come and would helm projects for B.B. King, Roy Orbison, The Wallflowers, Counting Crows, Brandi Carlile, and Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, to name just a few. However, in the mid-eighties, he was still working diligently to establish himself as a musician and performer in his own right.

Burnett has recorded blues, rockabilly, rock, new wave, and Americana. While loyal fans have embraced this eclectic ride, one wonders if it has negatively impacted his ability to attract a larger audience. His self-titled album, “T Bone Burnett,” is a memorable Americana collection recorded in just four days during the summer of 1986. Although worlds apart from his previous full-length rock outing, “Proof Through the Night,” it is a masterpiece in its class.

The album’s simple production, courtesy of David Miner, is open and inviting. There’s ample aural space to make you feel like you're in the room, soaking in each glorious sound. The uncluttered arrangements allow the listener to truly hear each instrument: every stellar note from Jerry Douglas's dobro and lap steel guitar, Byron Berline’s fiddle, Steve Duncan’s drums, David Hidalgo’s guitar, accordion, vocals, and 8-string bass, Jerry Scheff’s bass, and Billy Swan’s backing vocals are experienced with clarity and precision.

The album beautifully captures the rich melodic imagery of life’s joys and sorrows. Burnett’s vibrant cover of the 1951 breakthrough hit for Johnnie & Jack, “Poison Love,” soars with fiddle and dobro.

Hidalgo’s accordion breathes life into Bob Neuwirth's haunting, Poe-inspired "Annabel Lee," which is especially moving. Douglas’s steel guitar paired with Berline’s fiddle in the album’s heartfelt closer, “The Bird That I Held in My Hand,” is a sweet and touching love song that leaves a lasting impression.

The two least effective songs here are Burnett’s lyrically lazy “Oh No Darling” and a cover of Tom Waits’ “Time.” Neither seems to align well with standouts like “No Love at All,” “River of Love,” and "Annabel Lee." 

"I Remember” and “Little Daughter” are featured in vocal and instrumental versions, adding to the laid-back vibe of this outstanding album. Forty years later, I still appreciate this album, and with Burnett recording again, there’s hope for another minimalist project like this.

Skybound Blue Takes Flight on Born to Love You

Skybound Blue
"Born To Love You"
(self-released)
2025

Skybound Blue is a Sisters, Oregon-based duo that met in the jazz choir at Spokane Falls Community College, where they fell in love. Matthew and Jennifer Behnke married and began to pursue their shared dreams of adventure. They spent three summers on Guam, where Matt landed a gig diving for silver bullion on a 17th-century Spanish Galleon. In 2000, they sold everything and sailed around the Bahamas for a year filled with snorkeling, playing music, and making lifelong friends.

I’m indebted to the band’s website for this background information, as sources on the duo are scarce on the internet. Their lives changed forever when Jennifer was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Cancer remains a significant life challenge for the couple who’ve persevered as loving, supportive companions. From this experience comes a sense of urgency to write and play music, regardless of the circumstances; they have a deep-seated need to create. This led the couple to spend thirteen years in Nashville, working with some of the city’s finest writers and players. They have since returned home to the Pacific Northwest to raise a family and continue honing their craft.

Since 2011, Skybound Blue has released three albums and one EP, featuring some of the most enchanting and enjoyable Folk/Americana music I’ve heard. Their third album, “Born to Love You,” was released in January 2025. As with all their releases, it's an upbeat collection that celebrates the pair's love and is forward-looking, embracing every moment as it comes. Jennifer is featured on lead vocals throughout, and Matthew plays guitar and provides harmony on all songs.

“All My Days” opens the album with a celebration of motherhood, setting the tone for this collection of songs, which are filled with gratitude for every day. “Keep it Simple, Sweetheart” encourages us to relax and go with the flow. “Born to Love You” is about finding peace in the embrace of love.

“Another Song” and “At Last” are both love songs, with the latter being a cover of the Etta James classic, demonstrating Jennifer’s interpretive powers as a vocalist. This is a powerful standout that perfectly complements this collection of originals. “Could You” soulfully beckons to a companion during difficult times.

“We Only Have Today” addresses our human frailty and the loss of a childhood friend, while “Tripping Over Paradise” imagines being part of nature and locking in on those moments of peace and tranquility. “More Joy” is a declaration to reach for joy in this crazy, fast-paced world, delivered in a call-and-response style that pushes back against bad news.

Concluding with “Feather” and “Can’t Hold On,” these two songs explore our powerlessness in the face of mortality, leaving us with a peaceful image of floating on the breath of love. Here, they return to the theme of being grateful for today and finding peace in whatever one’s beliefs may be.

If one role of art is to delve into our inner selves—to explore our hopes, loves, dreams, and fears—then reflect on those we cherish and the world around us, and share what we’ve discovered, this album excels. Skybound Blue focuses on what they understand: life is transient, and it’s our task to reach out, love, and appreciate the love we have, while celebrating each heartbeat.

Since discovering these talented singer-songwriters, I’ve been listening to their entire catalog and continue to find nuance and meaning that I believe everyone can relate to. My deep dive into this group’s music has been very rewarding, and I'm sure yours will be too.

Kate Wolf's Music Still Resonates

Kate Wolf
“Poet’s Heart”
Kaleidoscope Records
1985

During her brief career, Kate Wolf released five studio albums and one double live album. “Poet’s Heart” was her final release during her lifetime. I was privileged to see Kate perform in the fall of 1985 at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. Although her music was new to me, I was charmed by her solo performance in this historic venue. As she stood onstage with her guitar, all eyes and ears were entirely focused on the captivating presence of the gentle poet. I sensed that this was something special. She had a way of drawing one into the stories of the lives and places she sang about with sincerity that was mesmerizing and poignant.

In the days following the concert, I acquired her entire catalog and was thrilled to have discovered such a remarkable talent. Weeks later, the news of her battle with leukemia became public, and I was devastated. She passed from this life at the age of 44 on December 10, 1986, leaving behind a body of work that is to be treasured.

“Poet’s Hart” is an album of honesty and vulnerability, with a depth and precision that disarm with its understanding of the subtleties of our lives. “All He Ever Saw Was You” tells the story of a conflicted musician’s devotion to his craft and the woman he loved more than he could convey. “In China or a Woman's Heart (There are Places No One Knows)” she explores the deeper meaning of a keepsake and the innermost mysteries and secrets kept in the heart. In “Slender Thread’ she sings of the fragility of love: “Sometimes the strongest love hangs by such a slender thread.”

Kate Wolf was on the verge of breaking through to a larger audience, having appeared on Austin City Limits and A Prairie Home Companion just before the onset of her illness. The Kate Wolf Music Festival was founded in 1996 by Kate’s family and friends in collaboration with Cloud Moss and the event management company Cumulus Presents. It ran from 1996 to 2022. During its 25-year run, artists such as Taj Mahal, Emmylou Harris, John Hiatt, Dar Williams, Neko Case, and a breathtaking list of other notable musicians have performed at the event.

In 1998, Red House Records released “Treasures Left Behind... Remembering Kate Wolf,” a tribute album featuring some of her most beloved songs. Among the collection's highlights are Dave Alvin’s performance of “These Times We're Living In” and Kathy Mattea’s “Give Yourself to Love.” Nanci Griffith, Greg Brown, Ferron, Emmylou Harris, Nina Gerber, Terry Garthwaite, and others each honor the artist as they keep this special music alive.

Appalachian Bluegrass from the UK

Jaywalkers
“Move On”
Burnt Chilli Records
2025

The Jaywalkers released their debut album, “16 Miles,” as a duo in 2010, featuring songwriter Mike Govern on mandolin and Jay Bradberry on fiddle and vocals. They soon invited Lucille Williams, the album's guest bassist, to join the group, creating a trio. The UK-based threesome has refined and perfected their Appalachian Americana sound through extensive touring and recording.

On their fifth album, “Move On,” the Jaywalkers continue to pay loving homage to classic Appalachian bluegrass with original songs, two well-chosen covers, and two instrumentals. The songs “Move On” and “Gone Forever” beautifully capture the essence of saying goodbye. Lead singer Jay Bradberry showcases her natural versatility on Ricky Skaggs’ “Highway 40 Blues" and their refreshing take on the blues standard “Ain't Nobody's Business.” In the collection's finest moment, “The Longest Day” finds solace in love’s embrace during difficult times.

This masterful blend of folk and bluegrass is brought to life by the exceptional contributions of guest musicians Rob Ickes on dobro, Trey Hensley on guitar, Josh Clark on drums, and Stu Williams on banjo and guitar. The Jaywalkers are available on all major streaming platforms, including Bandcamp. Enjoy!

Australian Roots Band, The Audreys, Returns Following Long Hiatus

The Audreys
"Ruin & Repair"
(self-released)
2025

The Audreys formed in 2004 in Adelaide, Australia. The original line-up consisted of Taasha Coates on lead vocals; Cameron Goodall on guitar, bass guitar, and backing vocals; his brother Tristan Goodall on guitar and banjo; and Michael Green on violin, lap steel guitar, and backing vocals. Over the years, the band has undergone numerous personnel changes, with Coates remaining the consistent creative force. 

The band took an 11-year break from recording after their fourth album, 2014’s “'Til My Tears Roll Away.” Their 2025 release, “Ruin & Repair,” marks a welcome return for this folk-rock favorite. Opening with "I Remember Everything" is a beautiful duet that showcases the vocal talents of Taasha Coates and the album's co-producer, Ryan Martin John, along with Tom Kneebone's delicate banjo playing. “Beatles V Stones” and “Secondhand Boots " explore ill-fated mismatched romance, while “Subterranean” and “To Want to Be Loved” are resolute in their pursuit of love.

The group lineup for this venture includes Taasha Coates on lead vocals, Tom Kneebone on guitar and banjo, Beej Barker on drums, and Felicity Freeman on bass. These skilled musicians effectively bring to life Goodall and Coates' compositions. From the upbeat songs to the more reflective “Norfolk Island Pine," "Beyond Compare," and “You’re in A Dream," they never fail to satisfy.

Tristan Goodall succumbed to cancer in 2022, leaving a significant void in not only The Audreys but also the lives of his brother, Cameron, and longtime friend and musical soulmate, Taasha Coates. "Beyond Compare" and "You're In A Dream" are heartfelt tributes to Tristan. In the former, Taasha sings, "Between love and loss is a great big lake full of all the choices that you never got to make." The latter imagines their loved one safe and warm, free of pain and far from the Winter's chill. The album dedication reads, “In loving memory of our brother & best friend Tristan Goodall, 1974-2022.”

This album features Taasha Coates's warm, beautiful lead vocals throughout and songs that linger with the listener long after the last note has played. The songs have a natural flow that feels like a laid-back evening spent with friends, reminiscing and sharing memories of days gone by. Best of all, "Ruin & Repair" reveals greater depth and charm with each listen, making it a record worth revisiting frequently.

Mike Farris Comes Home to Muscle Shoals

Mike Farris
“The Sound of Muscle Shoals”
Compass Records
2025

After his southern rock band, the Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies, disbanded in the 1990s, Mike Farris emerged as a gifted and soulful solo performer, overcoming the excesses of rock ‘n’ roll. He plays a solid mix of rock, rhythm and blues, soul, and gospel and has released half a dozen albums. He is a Grammy, Americana Association, and Dove Music Award winner who has lent his vocal talents to album projects for artists including Patty Griffin, Rodney Crowell, and Gloria Gaynor. He’s enjoyed a lasting friendship with Mavis Staples, whom he honored in his song “When Mavis Sings.” He was invited to be a featured performer at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 16th Annual American Masters concert in 2011, honoring Aretha Franklin alongside some of the industry's biggest stars.

In 2018, Mike Farris joined numerous artists to pay tribute to Muscle Shoals' legacy on the album “Muscle Shoals ... Small Town, Big Sound,” where he and the Blind Boys of Alabama delivered the finest track, “Respect Yourself.” This sparked curiosity about what a complete project by Farris in this storied environment would be like. Now, we have the answer with the 2025 release of “The Sound of Muscle Shoals” recorded at FAME Studios in Alabama.

This is an exceptional collection of nine original songs and two covers, delivered with the powerhouse vocals that only Farris can provide. “Heavy On the Humble,” “Her,” “Learning to Love,” and “Before There Was You & I” each celebrate the enduring relationship he shares with his wife, Julie. “Bird In the Rain” is a smooth, soulful ballad that would make the late Aretha Franklin proud. The gospel song "Slow Train” is a brilliant cover of the Staple Singers' 1968 classic. “Bright Lights” is a solid country tune that captures the struggles of a road-weary troubadour as he chases his passion for music, featuring Philippe Bronchtein's excellent steel guitar.

Rounding out this collection is an excellent cover of Tom Petty's “Swingin'” and “I'll Come Runnin',” featuring a slow, glorious build and plateau, pledging love and commitment. “Sunset Road” ponders a lover’s getaway, leaving worries behind and reclaiming what matters.

Every song here is pure excellence. Farris's vocal delivery is spot-on, and his songwriting is sincere and compelling. The band, featuring Clayton Ivey on piano, Hammond organ, and Wurlitzer; Will McFarlane, Kelvin Holly, and Wes Sheffield on guitar; Jimbo Hart on bass; Justin Holder on drums and percussion; Wendy Moten, Kevin Clayborn, Lashanda Evans, Cindy Walker, and Angela Hacker on vocals; Philippe Bronchtein on steel guitar; Brad Guin on saxophones; and Drew White on trumpet, is exceptional. This album is a must-experience for all who appreciate authentic, soulful rhythm and blues.

Love and Empathy Run Deep in Caroline Spence's True North

Caroline Spence
“True North”
Rounder Records
2022

In 2022, Caroline Spence released the brilliant and beautiful album “True North.” This is art of the highest caliber, a significant accomplishment in the music industry. Being constrained by the limitations imposed by major record labels doesn’t foster uninhibited creation, which is unfortunate for both the artist and the eventual listener. Fortunately, on her final album for Rounder Records, this remarkable singer-songwriter’s insightful, thoughtful, and personal reflections are available for everyone to enjoy.

At the time of “True North’s” release, Spence stated, “this is an album of deep love - love for time on this earth, love for all the people that pass through your life, love for yourself exactly as you are… love for your partner, love for unanswered questions, love for searching and yearning and feeling. This is also an album of grief, which is a form of love. I've felt hesitant to hang my hat here because I don't want sadness to be the headline for this record, because grief is more than sadness, it's love.” And in that spirit of openness, rolling with life’s punches, feeling the pain, and embracing healing, she has succeeded.

The album opens with “Mary Oliver,” invoking the late American poet while exploring the details of daily life and living with grief. "The Gift” is about the fleeting quality of time and how it is the only thing we have. “Clean Getaway” confronts the reality that we must face our truths, and there's no escaping some things we’d rather run away from. The title track celebrates a friend finding their true calling and purpose.

The gentle waves carrying this collection of songs convey themes of friendship and connectedness. “Scale These Walls” invites a lover or friend to penetrate the walls she’s constructed. “Walk the Walk” and “I Know You Know Me” offer friendship and support to a troubled companion. “The Next Good Time” advises that when trouble finds you, “Grit your teeth, get through it, and wait for the next good time.” While this might seem routine fare, it isn’t in the masterful hands of this songstress. Her beautiful expression of love and empathy is genuine and sincere.

“Blue Sky Rain” grapples with the unyielding forces in a failing relationship, while a loner finds renewal in the healing power of love in “I Forget the Rest.” Many emotional stones are turned here, and the precision of Spence’s delivery of her lyrics is always on target. The Greek mythology referencing “Icarus” celebrates a life free of fear and open to adventure, without trepidation about flying too high.

The album concludes with “There’s Always Room,” a poignant expression of revelations gained through loss and self-discovery: "Oh, I have lost, but oh, I have found parts of you I never knew I carried." Our familial bonds often run deeper than we realize; like love, they are to be cherished when everything we hold dear feels lost.

Kristen Grainger & True North Go Deep on Ghost Tattoo

Kristen Grainger & True North
“Ghost Tattoo”
(self-released)
2020

Based in Salem, Oregon, Kristen Grainger and True North released their 2020 album “Ghost Tattoo” as the world was shutting down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Plans for an extensive international tour starting in Ireland had to be scrapped, and promoting the project became nearly impossible. Nevertheless, the album, a blend of folk and Americana with a touch of bluegrass, is one of their best efforts.

The album is a delicate balance between an unflinching look at who we are today in these polarizing times and a sense of optimism for who we might become. “Ghost of Abuelito” pulls at the heart as it confronts the crisis of children being separated from parents at the Mexico border and being held in detention centers. Grainger’s lyrics pierce the heart, as a child finds comfort in the spirit of his grandfather, giving him the courage to believe he will return to his parents.

The title “She Flies with Her Own Wings” is derived from Oregon's state motto and is an inspired tribute to former Governor Kate Brown, for whom Grainger worked as communications director. It is also a nod to all women in leadership positions. In "Light by Light," a survivor describes the hard truths of domestic violence.

Kristen Grainger speaks eloquently as an advocate for female empowerment and social justice. She understands her folk music heritage and is a voice for the unheard, much like Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger. This may offend some, but since they are likely part of the problem rather than the solution, I doubt she loses any sleep over it.

Two covers, Tim O'Brien's and Darrell Scott’s whimsical “When No One's Around” and Peter Rowan’s “Lonesome L.A. Cowboy,” lighten the mood, balancing some of the weightier subjects examined here. While lost love and the wish for what might have been are the focus of “Wishes and Dreams.” “Keep the River on Your Right” is an upbeat song reminiscent of Alison Krauss and Union Station. “Fine Young Companion” imparts wisdom from the older generation to the young about the importance of embracing a simple life.

These songs are beautifully delivered by the band’s namesake on lead vocals, alongside the True North band, which includes Dan Wetzel, Grainger’s husband, on guitar, resonator guitar, mandolin, octave mandolin, banjo, mandola, ukulele, and vocals; Martin Stevens on mandolin, fiddle, octave mandolin, and vocals; and Josh Adkins on upright bass and vocals. Guest artists Dale Adkins on banjo and Cameron Elmore on bowed bass also contribute to this impressive lineup.

Returning to Romantica's America

Romantica
“America”
2024 Records
2007

Romantica’s frontman, Ben Kyle, along with his parents and six siblings, moved from Northern Ireland to Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the United States when he was thirteen. He worked with his father, a doctor-turned-minister, cleaning department stores after hours to support the family. In addition to instilling a solid work ethic in his son, he taught him to play guitar and write songs. He has utilized these skills in his band, Romantica, and solo endeavors for over twenty years. Although the band lineup has changed, Kyle has consistently delivered intensely personal snapshots from his life, singing about what he knows best: family loyalty and the meanings of connectedness.

The band’s second album, “America,” was recorded entirely in a home studio built by the band. It's a solid, melodic collection of folk-rock ballads written by Kyle. It opens with “Queen of Hearts,” a song that explores the allure of a relationship likely to lead to heartbreak, despite its promise of immediate fulfillment. Kyle’s longing and heartfelt lyrics on "I Need You Tonight" express the emotions of lovers separated by distance, conveying his desire for her to know she is foremost in his thoughts and how he misses home.

“The National Side” is a deeply autobiographical song that recounts the Kyle family history and their move to the States. The title refers to the field hockey team for which their mother played in Ireland. The song captures childhood dreams of following in her footsteps in the sport and tales of his siblings' misadventures during their youth. Familial love permeates as the rhythmic guitar, drums, horns, and accordion guide the listener along this journey of reminiscence.

“Drink the Night Away” evokes the anticipation, excitement, and anxiety of youthful friendship and an evening that leads to self-medication and regretful intoxication. “What was Jesus thinking when he let me sink into the arms of the Lord?” suggests the inner conflict between faith and doubt.

Though it’s slow and brooding, the darkest song on the record, “Ixcatan” is strangely beautiful, with Luke Jacobs’s bass and Eric Heywood’s pedal steel guitar conveying the tension and gravity as it relates the story of an outlaw shooting in the mountains of Mexico. “Fiona” is a bittersweet song about youthful courtship set against the backdrop of living in a troubled Belfast at the time. The sweet innocence of walking a girl home where bombs are exploding into the night, and where “Even the cops were scared out of their minds.”

“The Gulf of Mexico” changes gears with fond memories of carefree summers spent with friends. “La Traviada” is about Craig Kelly, a professional snowboarder, who died in 2003 near Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada, in an avalanche that trapped eight people, killing Kelly and six others. While the song concerns Kelly, it also addresses the cost of our passions and the price we sometimes pay for them.

“How to Live in a Modern World” is straight-up country in the tradition of Gram Parsons, followed by the meditative “God Walks on Water,” a spiritual reflection on life, love, and all the mysteries we don’t understand. “Tomorrow I'll know, today I've been guessing, one day's curse, another day's blessing.”

Our journey concludes with “Quiver,” a sweet, simple love song, and the ambiguous “Mateo.” Although its meaning remains elusive, it is beautifully rendered by Kyle’s gentle voice in harmony with the violin and cello, culminating in the last three minutes with just guitar and piano. This feels like a fitting conclusion to everything that has come before it.

While Ben Kyle’s talent as a singer, songwriter, and musician cannot be overstated, Romantica operates as a cohesive unit, bringing these songs to life seamlessly. The album's warm and upbeat feel is achieved through the artistry of Luke Jacobs on guitar, bass, electric piano, and vocals, along with Mark Hedlund and James Orvis on drums, and Eric Heywood on pedal steel guitar, Erik Brandt on piano, organ, and accordion. Jessy Greene's delicate use of strings melds perfectly with these songs, elevating even the most somber numbers to create something beautiful and uplifting. Not to be overlooked are the warm backup vocals performed by siblings Abby, Jayanthi, and Laurie Kyle on this album.

This album offers an incredible journey through Ben Kyle's reflections on family, friends, and their shared histories, and his keen observations of the world he inhabits. The songs convey deep love, introspection, spiritual conflict, healing, and a healthy gratitude for life as one who has found their place in this fragile modern world. Album highlights include “The National Side,” “Drink the Night Away,” and “Fiona.”