Heart of Pine give us flawless “southedelic rock” with new album, Southern Soul Revival.

By Graeme Smith

Heart of Pine are a band based in Athens, Georgia and led by Steven Bagwell and Travis Richardson. Their joined by Todd Headly on drums, Jesse Fountain on keys and Boone Hood on just about everything else. Together they create self-styled “southedelic rock,” a genre sometimes known for its novelty but transformed by a band who take it very seriously, bringing in influences from Led Zeppelin to Al Green.

This is at once evident in their new album Southern Soul Revival. Opening track Gone is an atmospheric start, pairing ambient nature sounds with echoing guitar and characterful vocals. We are transported to the rural American south and invited to feel along with its longing-filled story in the first verse. It builds nicely to a lively, memorable chorus.

Hello Heartache is beautifully soul-searching while Movin’ On introduces some introspective piano during its powerful tale of transience. It’s an early highlight.

Other highlights include the pleasing percussion and bold brass of This Way, and the swaggering psych of Voodoo Leg Bone. Emgab is bluesy and emphatic before the album is closed in a lively and groovy fashion by Phetamine & Pearls. It rounds off the collection perfectly.

If you like country rock with a twist then you’re going to find a lot to love about the music Heart of Pine are creating. They touch on the many cornerstones of the genre while elevating them with their unique approach. Musically, their new album is well-crafted and the emotion of its tracks are brought beautifully to life by expressive vocals. Put simply, it’s flawless.

Southern Soul Revival is out now, available to buy as a digital download or on vinyl via the band’s Bandcamp page. You can check it out below.