The latest single from James White & The Wild Fire is an outrageously energetic blast of vibrant passion. The Girl From Fort Worth is full of insistent rhythm, driven along by White’s rapid strum on the acoustic guitar and pulsing double bass from Brooke Bond. Michael Furse-Phillips launches into furiously bowed violin solos for added flourish. There’s an incredible sense of urgency to the song, not least due to White’s powerful vocal performance. This instrumental combination is fabulous, and the song is performed with great musicianship.
This single is from the brand-new EP How To Replace Anxiety With A Broken Heart, a collection that showcases the band’s blend of country, Americana and psychedelic bluegrass. After almost three years away, anticipation for new music is strong, and the EP has reached Number 1 in Rock and Number 2 in Country on Amazon Music’s pre-orders before it was released. Known for being a compelling live act, the EP captures that intensity of performance in the studio.
White says of the EP: “I feel this EP is a metamorphosis. What was blueprinted as lyrics, chords, and scratch tracks, written and recorded between 2022 and 2026 during a time of immense heartbreak, turmoil, confusion, and loss, became one of the most beautiful and sincere things I have ever made. I couldn’t be more proud of this EP, the musicianship of the members of this band, and how they brought the concept of it to life. It immortalises the lowest period of my adult life and created something that I am so excited to show the world. I hope those that resonate with the themes tune in to the message that such levels of loss, heartbreak and pain are all part of a journey, that there is another side beyond what feels like an inescapable void, and that even when we carry our loss with us, there can be immense joy, freedom, validity and peace on the other side. I hope you enjoy the incredible musicianship on full display by Brooke, Lee, Joe, Mike, and me. We left everything out there for you.”
Indeed, that is exactly what these gifted musicians do; they put their all into this exhilarating music. Get moving to this.
