Laid-back sophomore release for Canadian singer-songwriter.
Our music appreciation is so often influenced by our parents’ record collections – and Vancouver-based Arsenault had a sterling music education as his parents encouraged him to listen to the likes of Neil Young’s ‘Ragged Glory‘; Lyle Lovett’s ‘Pontiac’; Dwight Yoakam’s ‘Hillbilly Deluxe‘; Lucinda Williams’ ‘Car Wheels On A Gravel Road’ and Steve Earle’s ‘Guitar Town‘. Impressive musical schooling indeed. For this new album, Arsenault has made this for the North Country Collective – a label and promotional collective celebrating the roots music of Vancouver. His 2022 self-titled debut was described by one reviewer as “akin to a phone call from a good friend when you need them most”. A lovely compliment that any musician would treasure. And this latest album is more of the same – laid-back, classic country where you just sit back, relax and immerse yourself in the music.
We open with ‘Grand Forks’ – a perfect set up for the feel of the album – a lovely guitar riff over some atmospheric pedal steel guitar, lovely organ work and Arsenault’s warm and lilting vocals. And that guitar riff stays with you long after hearing it. ‘Too Late’ is another gentle and engaging song with stand out fiddle playing from Aiden Ayres, this song of heartache is typical of his fascination with life’s reality – loss and pain, heartbreak and unfulfilled dreams.
‘Never Been The Boss’ is another laid-back tune with the quality pedal steel work of Austin’s Caleb Melo and closer ‘I’m Changing Too’ is slightly more up tempo, but doesn’t stray too far from the tried and tested classic country feel that dominates this album.
Whilst the sound here is a little too limiting for these ears – if you like your country truly authentic, then there’s lots to enjoy here.
