Andrew Combs Shares Soulful New Single 'STARS OF LONGING' + UK Tour Dates

Nashville based singer/songwriter Andrew Combs has announced his new album, Ideal Man, to be released on September 20th via New West Records. Today, Combs has shared 'Stars Of Longing', the first track to be taken from the album.

An insightful, questioning gem, 'Stars Of Longing' opens the album with a snare drum cracking like a gunshot, before launching into a flowing blend of fuzzy guitar lines and reverb-drenched vocals. The track is accompanied by a captivating and touching video which premiered with FLOOD Magazine, who described it as 'a shimmering slab of groovy psychedelic soul… a promising precursor to what’s to come'.

Ideal Man was produced by Sam Cohen (Kevin Morby, Benjamin Booker) and follows Combs’ critically acclaimed 5 Covers & A Song EP, which featured his interpretations of songs by The Strokes, Radiohead, Blake Mills, Lucinda Williams, and Loudon Wainwright III.

While Combs may be best known as a singer/songwriter in the classic 1970s Laurel Canyon sense of the term, he proves the true versatility of his work here, often setting his acoustic aside in favour of atmospheric synthesizers and distorted electric guitars. Captured live in Cohen’s Brooklyn studio, Ideal Man also features Combs’ longtime collaborators, drummer Dom Billet and guitarist/keyboardist/bassist Jerry Bernhardt.

A Dallas native, Combs has called Nashville home since 2006, but when it came time to record Ideal Man, he opted for a change, heading to Sam Cohen’s Jupiter Recordings in Brooklyn. 'One of the things I really admired about Sam is that he wants to capture a moment,' says Combs.

'In the past, I’ve tended to pursue a studio sound that was really polished and clean, but I wanted to do something different this time, and I knew that working with Sam would lead to more of a loose, psychedelic, spaced-out vibe. We did everything live in the studio, even my vocals, and there’s a sense of immediacy and discovery in those early takes that you can’t recreate.'

Ideal Man is available for pre-order now here.

IDEAL MAN TRACK LISTING:

1. Stars Of Longing

2. Ideal Man

3. Like A Father

4. Save Somebody Else

5. Hide And Seek

6. Dry Eyes

7. Firestarter

8. Shipwreck Man

9. Born Without A Clue

10. The Stone

11. Golden

Andrew Combs will be touring Europe in support of Ideal Man in November and December, including dates in Bristol, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, and a show at London’s The Lexington on December 10th. Tickets are on sale now, and available here. The dates are, as follows:

04/12 – St Lawrence’s Church, Biddulph, UK

05/12 – Pleasance Cabaret Bar, Edinburgh, UK

06/12 – CCA, Glasgow, UK

07/12 – Cleeres, Kilkenny, IE

08/12 – Lost Lane, Dublin, IE

09/12 – Louisiana, Bristol, UK

10/12 – The Lexington, London, UK

*

For more information, visit andrewcombsmusic.com.

ALBUM REVIEW: 'Sean McConnell' - Sean McConnell

You might not yet know his name but there's a very good chance that you've heard some of Sean McConnell's work already.

Tim McGraw...Brad Paisley...Martina McBride...the list of names that have cut Sean's songs is as endless as it is illustrious. Now, with his self-titled album, Sean surely looks set to become a household name in his own right.

From start to finish, this album oozes class and fine lyrics. The stories he tells are vivid and his voice is soulful. For forty or so minutes, you'll be taken on the sort of journey that is rarely found in music these days.

'Holy Days' opens the album, a track that reminisces about time spent with a loved one. From the get go, Sean sets himself an alarmingly high precedent to live up to, yet manages to live up to this standard with ease and, at times, even surpasses it.

'Beautiful Rose' is the standout track from this offering of fine songs. It's a peaceful, simple song of reflection that is absolutely captivating. One of the best songs that I have heard in a while.

There's a strong personal feeling that runs throughout this release but none feel as autobiographical as 'Queen of Saint Mary's Choir'. With his father a guitar player and his mother a singer, this kicking track is the story of Sean's life and serves as a perfect introduction for those who know little about the man who proves, track after track, to be one of Nashville's finest songwriters and one of Music City's hottest talents.

When I was sent this release, I will admit that I had not heard of Sean but if I hadn't been sent this release, I am sure that I would have heard about him soon enough. A fantastic album by one of the most exciting artists that Nashville has to offer. One to watch.

This album is definitely worth a purchase and, if you can, go see him when he plays a few dates in London later this year.

The album is available now. For further information about Sean, including his London dates, visit seanmcconnell.com.

ALBUM REVIEW: 'My Universe' - The Shires

The first time I saw The Shires was on their Homegrown Tour with Ward Thomas. In the two years that would follow, these two duos would go on to make history. The Shires started first, becoming the first UK country act to enter the top ten with their debut album, Brave. Ward Thomas then did one better at the start of this month, hitting the top spot with their album Cartwheels. 

Now, set to release their second album, My Universe, one can't help but wonder what record Ben and Crissie will break with this release.

A word that keeps coming to mind when thinking about this album is growth. Eighteen months separate Brave and My Universe but in those eighteen months the duo have grown a lot both as songwriters and people.

Opening the album is the powerful title track, the duo's current single. Not only is this track part of the #ItCanWait safety campaign (an incredibly important campaign which highlights the danger of  using your phone whilst driving) but it was also inspired by key moments in Ben and Crissie's lives - the birth of Ben's son and the anniversary of Crissie's father passing. It's a song about making every moment count and is the first of a number of personal songs on the record.

Tracks 'Beats To Your Rhythm', 'Not Even Drunk Right Now' and 'A Thousand Hallelujahs' look set to be real crowdpleasers on their upcoming tour which starts in November, with all three being big, energetic anthems.

Crissie takes the lead on 'Daddy's Little Girl' which is a beautiful tribute to her late father before it's Ben's turn on the equally powerful 'Everything You Never Gave', as he vows not to follow in his father's footsteps and to be there for his own child. Positioned back-to-back in the middle of the album, these songs offer an insight into the duo's lives that I feel Brave lacked and I appreciate Ben and Crissie feeling that they're able to share such personal stories with us.

More vulnerability is shared on 'Naked', 'Save Me' and 'Desperate' and you can feel the heart in each song. Never once do you feel as if it's forced emotion or like the track has just been thrown in there to make up numbers. Each and every song belongs on this release and I truthfully can't even pick out a weak song, nevermind a bad song.

As for my favorite track from My Universe, I am torn. 'Drive', a track that was written with Kip Moore is absolutely excellent. It leaves you with a sense of adventure and a kick and a chorus that is hard to get out of your head. And then there's 'Other People's Things', a song that I've heard on an earlier tour and I'm so glad that it made the album. It's a beautiful piano led track about how the little things, such as a pair of shoes or a photograph, can bring back a multitude of memories both good and bad. It's a finely written song that, for so many people, will be heartbreakingly relatable. It will leave a lasting impression on even the most resistant heart.

Brave will always hold a special place in my heart as it was an album that I watched grow from a handful of songs performed in small venues to a full album performed in front of ever-growing crowds but, in terms of quality, My Universe surpasses it. The songwriting is better, Ben and Crissie have never sounded better and the connection with us has never felt stronger. I simply can't wait to hear this album being played out on their upcoming tour!

My Universe is out on Friday. For further information and a full list of tour dates, visit theshiresmusic.com.

Review: Roots (EP) - Holloway Road

Jack Cooper and Robert Gulston, otherwise known as Holloway Road have had a busy few months with appearances across the UK, including two appearances at the always growing C2C in London, and releasing their latest single, ‘Little Harder’ and the duo have capitalised on the buzz growing around them on social media with the release of their second EP, Roots - which is available to download today. High standards were set by their first and self-titled EP which entered the Top 10 UK country album charts on iTunes but Roots exceeds these standards with slicker arrangements and tighter lyrics. 

1. Little Harder: The EP’s opener was a song that stuck out for me during the boys’ C2C performances and the same could be said for the EP as well. Upbeat, there is something about this song that feels perfect for the summer. Maybe it’s the infectious banjo or maybe it’s the ridiculously catchy chorus or maybe it’s both. Whatever it is, this pop-infused country track is a real gem.
2. All My Life: This is a song that I have a feeling will become a real fan favourite at live shows. With it’s ‘woahs’ and its defiant ‘we won’t back downs’, this song has a real anthem feel about it and I think that it may just become an anthem among the boys’ ever growing fanbase at future shows.
3. Good Thing Gone Bad: This song is a departure from the quick pace of the first two songs and it is a welcome departure, with the slow and simple guitar led track showing another side to the duo. Lyrically, this song is excellent and is a shining example of what country music should be – heartfelt and meaningful.
4. Roots: The EP’s title track delivers in an unapologetically country fashion with its fiddle and references to boots. Jack and Robert have a real penchant for crafting catchy hooks and ‘Roots’ is no different. A solid track.
5. Let Me Go: The EP starts and ends on an energetic note and left me wanting more than a mere five tracks and I have no doubt that a full length album will be on the boys’ mind, especially since this release will have fans – both new and old – demanding more. The perfect blend of country, folk and pop, this song is, again, infectious and will have fans singing along during their shows. Another fantastic track.

The boys have just finished touring with Dexeter on a successful and very received run of dates around the UK, they will be playing two more dates at the end of the month – Kelvedon Institute, Essex (24^th) and Bantock House, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (30^th). These dates will be a chance to see Jack and Robert playing a stripped back acoustic set, with songs from Roots and some new, as yet unreleased material – we recommend that you go get their EP and head along with one of the dates if you can!

Get Roots here.
Follow the boys on Twitter.
Like the boys on Facebook.
Check out the boys' official site.

This Week's Releases (13/11)

Each week and every week, Somethin' Country brings you the news on the latest albums that we think you should check out! Here is our selection for the week commencing Friday 13th November.

Chris Young - I'm Comin' Over (RCA Nashville)

Fresh from a short, but sold out UK tour, Chris Young brings us his fifth studio album, I'm Comin Over. The eleven track album features the hit song of the same name - that is, at time of writing, certified Gold - as well as a duet with rising star Cassadee Pope and country legend Vince Gill. Undecided country fans not so famillar with Young are in luck: Chris has been sharing some songs over on his YouTube page, including the fantastic 'Sober Saturday Night' that features Vince Gill. It's another solid album from Young and with the fastest selling single of his career as the lead single, this album looks a good bet for the top spot.

Lizzie Wilson - Lizzie Wilson EP

We featured this five track EP last week (you can read our review HERE) and it is a worthy addition to our list of releases for this week. This debut EP by the up and coming UK singer was recorded in Nashville earlier this year and was co-written by Lizzie with a wealth of other talent, including Holloway Road and Payton Taylor. Country music over here is - thankfully- finally growing and we have a wealth of homegrown talent ready and waiting to shine. Lizzie Wilson is one of these names you should keep and eye out for and this EP is proof.

At only £3.95 on iTunes, this release is, frankly, a steal.

Eric Church - Mr. Misunderstood (EMI Nashville)

*Technically* this was released last week during the craziness that is CMA awards week but it's only just become available on UK iTunes and it'd be silly to not include it. The album, Eric's fifth, was written over the summer and recorded during the last two months before it was sprung on us in a Beyonce-esque move. Stylistically, it's a more diverse Church record than we are used to, with rock, soul and gospel being just some of the influences we can hear on it, to but it is another really strong one. Whilst we may not get another album in such a surprise fashion come next year's CMAs week, we can definitely expect some nominations for this one.

Any albums that you think we missed? Want your EP or album featured on here? Tweet us @SomethnCountry or drop us a line on here!