Three new tracks to show what’s great about the timelessness of Americana music

Dillon Gaige and Trent Brown – “Walk Into My Arms”
-Sometimes you hear a song that just taps into something so much deeper than what meets the ear. That’s evident with this song that these guys are expressing some sincere sentiments. It’s a love song, ostensibly, but there’s a desperation rooted in the expressiveness of the vocal that I really enjoy. The intentional production decisions with the old time instrumentation (banjo in particular) gives the song a different tone than so much of what passes as country music these days. This is rooted in the “old time” tradition with this lively, contemporary polish. I could picture singing along with the crowd at a live show to this wonderful, approachable, relatable piece of timeless songwriting.

Aaron Pollock – “I Don’t Deserve To Be So Blue”
-The first name that popped into my mind when I clicked play on this track was Pokey LaFarge. If that name means anything to you, you’ll know the type of old time sound of this song. But you know who else came to mind? Dylan’s iconic “Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright.” The attitude of the song is about heartache and learning to move on, despite the painful emotions of rejection. Pollock’s vocal pops really well in the mix. The guitar has some really wonderful flourishes that feature as a prominent and enjoyable part of the song. It’s the mix, though, that really does it for me. The timeless style, the moving acoustic guitar work, and the meaningful lyrics all come together for an outstanding contribution to the Americana music canon. This is one that should be widely supported by the community.

Rachel Gore – “Good Death”
-I’ve been a sucker for darker, heavier Americana here lately. Rachel Gore’s latest “Good Death” does not disappoint in terms of the mood that it sets. I absolutely love the vocal harmonies on this one. One of the first things I did when I heard the song was share it with a friend who teaches a class that contemplates life and death. This is such a meaningful lamentation and reflection on what makes a good death. I am impressed with the quality of Gore’s vocal and the overall production that sustains the “mood” of the track so well. It’s not dark in the sense of fearing death; it’s a celebration of the hope that comes from new life following an earthly death. Even though Gore doesn’t necessarily share faith in the song, there seems to be an aspect of that in the track. I’d love to unpack this one with the artist.

Image courtesy: Rachel Gore IG