Busking in the bedroom, just houses apart, Mike James and Anthony Kuhn (Singing River) had separate musical journeys, both honing their styles and developing their affinity for deeper American storytelling.
By Katie Stewart
Years later, their serendipitous collaboration has manifested into an EP that reflects their separate growth and musical exploration. Pulling together a six-piece band for their new EP Shoutin’ Good Time, they expertly present an entirely accomplished, immaculate, unruly collection of songs.
Lost by the River is a humble but polished blend of old-school country soul and modern pop-rock – each instrumental element perfectly mastered in post-production to create an adventurous and cohesive listening experience. It feels deeply textured. There are so many pieces moving at once, yet there’s no messiness, no clashing – just intention and skilled musicianship. Striking harmonica, twangy guitar licks, energetic drum fills and optimistic lyrics express an eager restlessness and echo the artists’ clear devotion towards Americana music.
Shoutin’ Good Time is a joyous track with a driving, propulsive, shifting percussive heartbeat. Flowery, buoyant, bright guitar breaks are crisp and uplifting, decorated by swingy hi-hat tapping; it’s easy to imagine this song catching the crowd at live shows. Talkative lyrical quips are endearing and light. It’s a feel-good track.
The penultimate number, I Thought I Heard Bob Dylan Say, is immediately refreshing, clearly creative. Melding vintage-leaning band sounds – syrupy tuba, lax snare trills, gravelly brass notes – with a modern folk-pop sound, it’s addictive, timeless, and charming. Mikey James’ vocal range and authority really shines in this track. Playful, unfussy, evocative lyrics are delivered with power, vividity, and heart.
I thought I heard ole Frankie Laine cry
We’ll never understand ’em
And they’ll leave us high and dry
My true love will be riding
On a cloud in the sky
Rolling thunder from on high.
The mysticality of that retro, sepia-tinged sound continues into the final track, King of the Minor Leagues, which opens with a teasing cinematic horn phrase, then breaks out into a classic rock and roll sound which you can’t help but welcome. Familiar, comforting, and punchy, this track is a true throwback – a sonic time machine. It almost has a visual ability, playing like a film. If a baseball-themed American diner on the side of a dusty highway in the summer were a song, it would be this one.
Across the entire EP, Singing River achieve a sense of looking back whilst pushing things forward. Leaning into the old-school sounds that shaped them, but sharpening them with a modern, earned confidence, Shoutin’ Good Time is a versatile, comprehensive, and cascading demonstration of skill and passion for music-making. It naturally moves between country soul, folk‑pop, and roots-rock genres without losing clarity or heart.
Shoutin’ Good Time is out now; you can give it a listen below.
