Continuing with these sort of round-up posts in my desperate attempt to catch up before the end of the year. So it’s time of another collection of songs/albums that I’ve loved during these past few months.
Portland-based songwriter Anna Tivel recently recorded a new album with the help of Shane Leonard and Brian Joseph. The album called The Question won’t be out before April, 2019, but the incredible first single Fenceline was just released by Fluff and Gravy Records. It’s a deeply affecting song about immigration and humanity. An important story beautifully told. I can’t wait to hear the full album, because Anna Tivel is one of the finest songwriters at the moment and I fully trust Shane Leonard’s vision to make her dark songs shine even more brightly than before.
I’ve enjoyed all Michael Nau albums, but this latest Michael Nau & The Mighty Thread feels like the most complete and definitely will appear on those year-end lists in December. It came out on the 3rd of August on Full Time Hobby and has been on heavy rotation ever since. Michael Nau has this talent to make music that sounds gentle, warmhearted and comfortable and his records are a perfect soundtrack for lazy Sunday afternoons. However, the end result is still always way more than just lovely. There’s depth and power in his soft words and the record stays with you long after the sweet sounds has drifted away from the headphones.
Next stop New York and the new Adeline Hotel album Away Together that came out on the 26th of October on Ruination Record Co. Songwriter Dan Knishkowy again teamed up with co-producer Will Stratton and a cast of talented musicians and together they made a really charming, well-written and beautifully arranged album. Isn’t That Love and Looking For The Same Thing are my early personal favorites, but there are no weak links. In fact, the best part about the album is that it’s so strong and compelling as a whole.
Last visit this time around is Nashville, Tennessee and the new Juan Solorzano album Time Machine that came out on the 3rd of August. It was a pretty low-key release and I haven’t heard a lot of talk about it at least in this corner of the world. Which is a shame, because especially all the singles Time Machine, Take It From Me and Should’ve Been You are timeless and endearing. I think he is better known as a producer at this point, but I hope he keeps on making his own music as well. There’s so much to love here and it’s difficult to pick just one song, but let’s go with the gorgeous title track.