Leeann Skoda and Ryan O’Reilly – “Things we just don’t talk about”
-This song is about life after an ended relationship. It’s about memory and heartache. It’s about moving on. It’s also about how hard it is to deal with trauma and difficulty without sharing. It’s so true, too. If you’ve ever had a long conversation with a dear friend and held back the whole time, not sharing what’s really disturbing you. That’s what this song captures (for me, at least). There are definitely things we just don’t talk about. If you’re a fan of alt country with an accessible storyline and message, check this out. I don’t make this comparison lightly, but I’d say if you’re fan of Brandi Carlile (or even Jason Isbell) consider giving this track a spin. The songwriting is really well done and certainly relatable.
Sam Sample and Benny Hagerty – “It Takes Two”
-The first line of this song is about being a workaholic with an artist’s soul. Wow. Imagine me making the googly-eyed gif face… like… “oh, really?” Anyways, I hate that I live in a timeline that I express my emotions by referencing gifs. This song is so deep and rich, it deserves so much more than that. It’s got this delightful vocal harmony that makes me smile from ear to ear. If you’ve been in any long-term relationship, you’ll know how difficult it is to make things work. The song makes light of how it takes both involved being invested in the successful relationship. There’s this core element of the song that’s about knowing your partner’s heart so well that you treat it with care; that’s what makes it so sweet. Yes, it’s a sweet folksy love song, but it feels like the genuine article. In our fractured world, we need more of this sort of holistic beauty.
Asia Ruby – “Red Dust”
-From the moment I first heard this song, I felt like I knew the artist (I don’t) and had heard the song before (I hadn’t). It feels like sitting around a fire listening to an old friend play a good acoustic tune. There’s something inherently comfortable about the recording and the energy. There’s a sway to the rhythm of the track that puts a smile on my face with every listen. Lyrically, it’s about being in a place with red dust; it feels like an inside reference for someone special. I find it to be a sweetly accessible track, perfect for something soothing in the background at the coffeeshop, yet engaging enough that you can lean in and envision a road trip or journey with someone special. I dig it.
Image courtesy: Ryan O’Reilly IG
Source: instagram.com