Rhyan Sinclair - Barnstormer (2018)

From the Waylon-esque lonesome twang and weeping pedal steel of track one, all the way to track fourteen's bluegrass infused, boot-stomping ode to freedom, this album is a first-listen ride that is equal parts contemplative and joyful.

It’s not often a debut solo album written and co-produced by a 17-year-old recalls an Emmylou Harris or Steve Earle record you’ve had for decades. The raw emotion in her vocals and unapologetic honesty of her lyrics draw you in. From the Waylon-esque lonesome twang and weeping pedal steel that begin the opening track, “From Here,” into the bluegrass infused, boot-stomping fun of the title track, this album is a first-listen ride that is equal parts contemplative and joyful. “The Hourglass” showcases Rhyan Sinclair's old-soul songwriting, with thought provoking lyrics (“We kill time and wonder why it dies”) and exquisite guest harmonies and fiddle by Lillie Mae. With inspiration from sources as diverse as Chris Isaak, Dolly Parton, The Beach Boys and Jason Isbell, Sinclair takes you on a winding road of moods and melodies. There are soaring harmonies, twangy telecasters and spacey steel guitar ("Retrograde"), raw emotion and front porch fiddle ("Cold Summer’s Day”), undeniable soul and swelling organ ("What Time is it in California?”), timeless themes ("Selfishly, Heartlessly" and "This Beaten Down Heart”) and a joyful ode to moving forward (“Free at Last”). Sinclair proves with these 14 songs that she’s in it for the long haul and her journey has just begun.