Sarah Jarosz - Undercurrent

Sarah Jarosz - Undercurrent

By

Jesse E. Mullen

Really beautiful album that deals with themes of maturation, and the difficulties that come with living in your early 20s. The instrumentation is exquisite, and Sarah is quite gifted, playing several of the parts herself. The vocals are excellent throughout, and fit the somber mood of the record. Her voice is like honey on top of the lush melodies she conjures. This album is truly a folk/alt country gem, and I believe anyone hearing it for the first time will marvel at Jarosz' dark yet hopeful songwriting, and clever arrangements. Growing up isn't easy, but this gives me something to latch onto amidst the confusion of it.

Sugar Hill/2016

Kindling - Hush

Kindling - Hush

By

Jesse E. Mullen

An all-around terrific album from Massachusetts quintet Kindling. Opener "For Olive," and its delicious chord progressions will stick in your head for days. "Wait" and "Rain" are also highlights that show the softer side of the group. And while "Better World" is almost a sequel to "For Olive" in tone, it makes up for the reuse of the chord progression with a passionate performance from all involved. The two singers sound better than ever before, and their guitars are even more forceful (on the heavier tracks), while being more restrained in all the right ways (on the slower tracks.) Highly Recommended.

6131 Records/2017