Description
Americana singer/songwriter Arlo McKinley generated such positive response with his second album, 2020’s Die Midwestern, for a few reasons. Foremost, McKinley was the final artist signed by John Prine to his Oh Boy imprint before his death; anyone getting the seal of approval from someone of Prine’s stature will attract attention.
Thankfully McKinley had the goods as a compelling singer and gifted songsmith, his detailed compositions inspired by Prine’s work yet far from imitative of it. Critics and audiences took notice of McKinley’s unaffected lyrics, emotional vocals and organic melodies, so it’s little surprise that he returns to that fertile well—same producer, band, recording studio and label—for this impressive follow-up.
There’s an elusive Jackson Browne vibe to McKinley’s music; it’s especially prominent in his subtly poetic yet personal lyrics and the fact the tunes feel so familiar on first spin.
Before leaving us, Prine plucked another winner out of obscurity. Even though this doesn’t break new sonic ground, it’s proof that Arlo McKinley is a talent who’s in it for the long haul. McKinley’s voice conveys gentle gravitas to everything, while his band bolsters it with sympathetic, sturdy backing.
