The Magnolia Janes - The Light Years (2024) Hi-Res

The Magnolia Janes have a way of sorting through life’s highs and lows, painting lush, emotional soundscapes that guide listeners to look for the beauty within. Made up of friends and songwriters Sarah Bonsignore and Ashley Riley, the duo first met at a sync songwriting retreat in the Pocono Mountains. Both acclaimed solo artists who have had success writing music for film & TV, they bonded over their love of vintage clothes, cheap wine, and so many laughs. They performed together, backing each other up on their own solo music on stages in California, Nashville, and New York before officially deciding to form their band. Their debut album, "The Light Years", drops on July 12, 2024.

There are Americana-roots offerings, but the songs paint sparkling pop/easy-listening pictures. Some in oil & others in watercolors. Certain songs even stride alongside ‘60s female pop singers with sincere innocent voices like Robin Ward’s “Wonderful Summer,” or Skeeter Davis’s “End of the World.”

With “The Sun In My Backyard,” their voices are gospel chorale-like & the harmonies are prominent. The singers are not projecting as rockers like Heart, dark as The Shangri-Las, or peculiar like The Castaways (“Liar Liar”). They may be closer in style to the Indigo Girls with a touch of Sarah MacLachlan whispery vocalizing. But on “Running” their forte shines – both voices come together in a well-arranged piece.

They’re never as powerful as the Mamas & the Papas since they don’t have the competing male voices that made that group special. The Magnolia Janes rely more on individual voices which are colorful & distinct. Their voices are also attractive solo. But the songs are well-sung & beautiful. Nothing challenging, controversial & nothing differentiates between each composition. Their aim is sure. Good lyrics, harmonies & lead vocals throughout.

With a tune like the excellent “Gotta Leave a Good Thing,” it makes for a good country song depending on the arrangement. There are many glittering songs here. It’s not a heavy-handed cadre of pieces. Everything is performed appropriately with expertise (“Same Side”) & easy on the ears.

Their final song (“This Old World”) places the duo close in a folky tradition & quality of both The Roches’ magnificently affecting “Hammond Song” & the great Canadian duo The McGarrigle Sisters (with daughter Martha Wainwright) on their “Jacques et Gilles,” “Matapedia” & stunningly emotional “Proserpina.” This would be a wise path to choose going forward…they could do it. Great voices & music such as The Magnolia Janes gain respect this way.

Highlights – “Speed of Light,” “The Sun In My Backyard,” “Running,” “Gotta Leave a Good Thing,” “Same Side,” “The Light Years,” “Five More Minutes” & “This Old World.”