If you’re a fan of folk singer songwriters, you’ll be interested to know about this new album from Pittsburgh-based singer songwriter Lounna. The style brings together elements of classic folk music with chamber folk and interesting harmonies.
The opening track “Sassafras” brings natural imagery alongside traditional instrumentation. The group vocals do a nice job of holding the song together. The overall vibe mixes classic folk elements with interesting chamber folk stringed instruments.
The second track “Appalachian Mountains” has a thoughtful folk instrumentation that works well. The fiddle elements conjures hints of a traditional past. The overall mood of the song does a nice job of conveying the ancestral roots of many people who live in that region of the country. I definitely personally connect with the timelessness of this sound.
The following “This Love Is Like an Avalanche” has some wonderful haunting fiddle work that balances with the understated vocal. It invokes the traditional mountain sound again. Once the full band enters it feels more “modern,” but in a sense of continuity with the past. I appreciate the calm energy of the recording as it captures these two eras well.
“Peak Season” was the first song I heard from this album and the reason I was eager to cover it here. I appreciate the classic instrumentation as a baseline for the composition. The strings create their own harmonies on this track that blend well together. I appreciate the way the production balance brings the orchestral elements together while the banjo still pops through with its characteristic style. This is definitely the class of the album.
“Lily of the Valley” conveys some timeless lyrical themes along the lines of the traditional music in much of this album. I thought there might be some nods toward the gospel tunes on this theme, but this is more of a secular style. The naturalist element of the song encourages the listener to reflect on being thankful at Thanksgiving in the midst of the natural beauty that surrounds us.
This is the type of album that is sure to connect with a lot of folk fans due to its timeless style. If you’re a fan of traditional Americana instrumentation like fiddles and banjos as they blend with folk storytelling, there’s a lot to like here. “Peak Season” is the best track on the album, but there’s something for everyone here and I hope people will give Lounna a chance.
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