Stranger Again – the second album from North Carolina duo Blue Cactus (Steph Stewart and Mario Arnez) – follow’s their self-titled debut, this time filled with ‘70s Cosmic Americana vibes. The album was written during a turbulent time for both Stewart and Arnez; both of them were going through break-ups from long-term relationships and were transitioning into a relationship with one another after years of touring and playing music as friends. “We did not sit down and say, ‘we want to write a relationship album’ or anything, but I think it was a by-product of what was going on for us personally….but after seeing all the songs laid out in a list of what we were excited about having on the album, it became pretty clear that there was a thread running through them for sure.” Standout tracks include: the moody opening track “Blue as the Day”; the up-tempo country rocker “Rebel”; the beautifully hazy “I Can’t Touch You”; the shifting dynamics of the title track; the stirring poetic number “Come Clean”; the lush Tom Petty-esque “Radioman”; the reworking of the bluegrass road song “Worried Man”; and the beautifully trippy instrumental album closer, “Space Country.” Blue Cactus’ Stranger Again is a polished and enjoyable Cosmic Country album (or “Cosmic Americana” as they like to define it). – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | Garrett T. Capps, Bobby Dove, JP Harris, Western Centuries, Bonnie Whitmore