*Alternative Title: HARMONIES FOR DAYS*
The One Eighties – “Backseat Devil”
-I’ve listened to this song several times and I’m always struck by two distinct observations; the harmonies are divine and I’m not sure I fully understand the lyrics. That’s ok, though, because the song feels so good to listen to that I don’t need to connect with every lyric. I mean… let’s be honest… we know what usually goes on in car backseats, but the energy of this song feels dark and gloomy far more than steamy. But, no matter, it’s still a great tune with some lovely atmospheric decisions on the production side. The steel guitar and organ dance for a sound that I rarely hear but definitely appreciate. This is a wonderful listening experience and is certainly one to share with your friends that think all Americana sounds the same because there is nothing quite like this gem of a track.
Open Road Folk Music – “High Places”
-I adore the tenderness of this recording. It has a calming experience almost immediately. Seriously click play and I bet you’ll feel tension leave your body within a minute. It’s such a lovely sound. The vocal reminds me of Joshua Hyslop. The unhurried style is just perfect for a relaxed acoustic folk playlist. This is the kind of music that just makes me want to slow down with my loved ones and remember that things are going to “be alright.” There’s a naturalist element to this song about getting into higher places away from the hustle and bustle to reconnect with who we are. It’s honestly an almost spiritual song… and by the time the strings enter, it somehow still manages to feel like an Americana song. It works.
Madison Hughes – “Mystery Highway”
-I tell songwriters all the time that one of the most underrated skills is actually phrasing. Can you make every line feel like it was meant to be there? Like it’s the only line that could have worked? Because this song is a prime example of that principle. Hughes writes with a precision that feels so easy but I’m sure it’s not; it’s beautiful and captivating. The opening is stripped down acoustic work that really allows the vocal to shine through, but as the full band enters the track sparkles with a bit of joy and bounce that really highlights the lyrical concept well. Have you ever taken off down a road just to see what’s on the other side? This song has that energy in spades. The tenderness of the vocal is balanced by the rawness of the reason we are “runnin’ down this dirty highway.” It’s an adventure – a self-discovery path – and I hope everyone reading this gets at least one moment in your life where you can relate to this feeling.
Image courtesy: Madison Hughes IG
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