Singing River debut on our blog with their new Americana album, Talkin’ Destination Blues.

By Graeme Smith

Feature photo by Lex Kuhn

Their first time appearing on this blog, Singing River is the Americana side project of Mikey James, the former drummer of Longwave. For the project, he has teamed up with Anthony Kuhn and the talents of Jeremy Stoner, Johnny Cummings, and others, to record an album at his home studio, Bare Essential. It’s called Talkin’ Destination Blues.

The album opens with its title track and we are greeted by a soft, stripped-back sound with plenty of soul. The rhythm is cantering, the vocals expressive, and there’s a brightness to it all. The story of the lyrics weave a subtly romantic tale that has us immediately hooked.

Lead single She Feels Like a Diamond is a sultry highlight. There’s a warmth to its production and its lyrics are deliciously full of imagery. A brassy chorus takes you to cloud nine before the track ends triumphantly.

Elsewhere we get some liveliness in A Hill Worth Climbing, I Keep Running and Got a New Dance, and contrasting chill in Gideon’s Bible and Hot Air. Mikey counts The Band and ELO among his influences as that comes through loud and clear in these slower moments. Born in the Spirit of ’76 closes the album atmospherically during a smouldering, storytelling final reflection.

There’s a touch of the classic about Singing Rivers’ sound but they pair it with a modern edge that makes it accessible for just about everyone. Soulful vocals are the order of the day in their new album, as well as some timeless song-writing and uplifting instrumentals. It’s true comfort listening.

Talkin’ Destination Blues is out now and you can buy the album as a digital download and on vinyl via Bandcamp. You can give it a listen below.