After releasing her last album, Heartbreaker of the Year in 2015, Whitney Rose is back with an EP that could very well be Record of the Year.South Texas Suite is a short, but sweet, set of songs that instantly catapults you to Texas. Rose is Canadian but a piece of her heart most definitely belongs to the Lone Star state with honky-tonks, Tex-Mex flair and Luckenback all on the agenda here. This EP is a six track love letter to the state that captured her heart after a two month residency there.
Opening number 'Three Minute Love Affair' has an apt cha-cha rhythm as Rose sings (/warns, depending on your situation) about how it can only take three minutes on the dance floor with someone to fall in love.
'Analog' has sass, swagger and a desire to return to a simpler time, a time in which our lives weren't ruled by technology. Her style of traditional country gives off a very classic-sounding vibe as she addresses a very modern day problem.
An ode to a staple of the country lifestyle, 'My Boots' is a foot-stomper, sassy and utterly charming. This one will be fun to hear live and it's easy to imagine that it will become a fan favorite.
'Bluebonnets For My Baby' is this reviewer's personal favorite on this release. This gorgeous romantic ballad is a joy to listen to, a throwback to the 50s/60s country sound (I was instantly reminded of the great Patsy Cline on my first listen) and Rose's voice here is faultless.
The nostalgia continues in a very literal sense on 'Lookin' Back on Luckenbach'. This is more classic country and the more I hear of it, the more I want to hear. Rose's sound is traditional, yes, but it relates and leaves a much more profound mark on myself than the very often generic-sounding slew of "party anthems" that continue to dominate the country charts today. I long for a resurgence of well-crafted, heartfelt songs and South Texas Suite solidifies Rose's potential to be one of those artists to lead any looming revival. She's a strong and assured singer-songwriter, who's also gracious enough to dedicate the last track of her EP ('How 'Bout A Hand For The Band') to the talented musicians who helped her bring this project to life.
Rose makes the trip across the pond this May, playing Nottingham, Sheffield, Newcastle and London. With South Texas Suite in her repertoire, these shows will simply be unmissable. So if you haven't, go grab your tickets to go accompany this fine release.
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South Texas Suite is released today (January 27th). For more information on Whitney Rose, her album and her UK dates, visit whitneyrosemusic.com.
