On The Stereo #33

Kawala: vocals bounce along with gusto, marrying nicely with the rhythmic guitar melody. Pic: Sarah Louise Bennett

The team are listening to these superb new songs from Kawala, Maren Morris, Rainbrother, Morganway, Jenny Lewis and Cross Atlantic

KAWALA
RUNAWAY
Mahogany Records
There’s a summer evening feel to this uptempo acoustic number, making it something of a welcome pocket warmer to heat our hands during this cold snap. Jim Higson’s vocals bounce along with gusto, marrying nicely with the rhythmic guitar melody, and lead us to sunnier times. DH

MAREN MORRIS
GIRL
Columbia Nashville
Maren Morris is an artist who knows how to deliver a soulful country smash-hit and once again she has managed to create a foot-stamping crossover hit that still keeps firmly tied to the country genre. Sonically this is what Morris is all about, while lyrically we see an artist breaking free of shackles as she fully takes control of her destiny. This song could act as an empowerment tool for many years to come. LK

RAINBROTHER
THE MASTER
Self-release
Like a dream which part of you would like to wake from but the rest of you can’t resist, The Master has moments of sweetness flecked with hints of endangerment. Within its seven-minute running time, there’s plenty of space to explore both sides of this captivating fantasy. DH

MORGANWAY
FROZEN IN OUR TIME
Morganway
British Americana band Morganway returns with a haunting new single. This track has dark undertones and creative lyrics that paint a story throughout the song. Harmonies and soft production help elevate the track to higher levels while the eery underlay keeps it from straying too far from its roots. Overall this is Morganway’s best release to date and has the potential to gain them a lot of new fans across the UK country and Americana scene. LK

JENNY LEWIS
RED BULL & HENNESSY
Warner Bros. Records
Like classic Fleetwood Mac with a little added country, Jenny Lewis’ latest track ramps up the yearning. The added sparks are provided by the track’s piano intro and fizzing guitar parts before, as with any ill-fated romance, it comes to the most abrupt end. DH

CROSS ATLANTIC
SLOW
Cross Atlantic
The fast-rising Nashville duo are back with the first taste of their upcoming debut EP Beginnings which drops 15 March, and they are sounding absolutely fantastic. Sonically, this has a real pop crossover vibe and has a similar sound to that of Lady Antebellum. Together their voices blend to create one sweet harmony and this track really elevates them into the big league of country, thanks to its radio-ready sound and catchy lyrics. LK

Words: Duncan Haskell, Laura Klonowski

Listen to these songs and other On The Stereo selections on the Songwriting Magazine Spotify ‘Music Reviewed’ playlist.

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