Reviewed by Paul S Ganney

Johnnyswim works more or less in a folk pop genre ala Mumford & Sons while as most Cross Rhythms readers/listeners will know, Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors can best be described as Americana. This is a true collaboration, with two bands coming together to write and record together - not just one artist guesting on another's album. The harmonies are the first things to leap out at you: they are simply superb. Then there's the range - joyful bounce ("Ring The Bells") meets gospel soul ("Goodbye Road"). The songs came as a response to events such as the racial assaults in Charlottesville, the loss of rock and roll icon Tom Petty (whose "I Won't Back Down" is covered here - it fits so well that if you didn't know otherwise you'd assume they wrote it), and the attack on an audience of music fans at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas. One website claims it has given us "a record that not only doubles down on swooning, sweeping melodies, but also offers messages of hope and resilience. It's bright, clear-eyed music for cloudier times." It's hard to disagree and the backing vocals humming "Amazing Grace" that slip into the title track display this message of hope well. It's a lovely EP and it'd be great if they did this again.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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