Michelle Billingsley - Both Sides of Lonely (2023) Hi-Res

Michelle Billingsley wraps charmingly cutting lyrics in boisterous acoustic strumming and along with her dryly dark sense of humor and a (whip)smart-assed vocal delivery, it all sounds a bit like Emmylou Harris went through the looking glass. She'll remind you of the familiar songs you heard playing on the radio in the back of Dad’s old truck cruising down back roads. She’s got a little bit of honky tonkin’ country up her sleeve, and a dusting of folk on her boots. Her shows are undeniably fun—genuine, irreverent, unique and fearless.

Ah, the Champagne toast – the universal affirmation of happiness and approval and all good wishes. Well, perhaps not for Michelle Billingsley who is in a much more ironic mood as she makes the traditional gesture “in my hand is a champagne stem to toast your new lover, and her perfect gentleman” adding, somewhat bitterly, “guess she don’t know you that well yet.” Yes, it may all be over, but that doesn’t mean that Michelle Billingsley is completely over it.

‘Neat Whiskey’ is taken from Michelle Billingsley’s second album ‘Both Sides of Lonely‘ which sees her move in a different direction. Her debut release was a well received folky troubadour album, now she is embracing a more traditional, and in particular honky-tonking, country sound saying “I’ve got a whole new sound, a new record, my voice is stronger than ever. I’ve got a ring on my finger. I’ve got a dog now. And my band and I have really grown with this album. It’s useful as a roadmap going forward—this is the sound; this is where we’re headed.”