Australian Emma Swift isn’t well known here in the states, but back home she is regarded as a respected radio host (on the indie station FBi in Sydney) and host of ABC National’s Saturday Night Country. In 2014 Swift temporarily relocated to Nashville – the home of country music – to record her self-titled debut mini country album. Produced by Aussie/Nashville veteran Anne McCue and cut alongside a group of the city’s best session musicians, the six tracks showcase Swift’s songwriting and smoky vocals. While each track is a gem, album highlights include: the opening waltz “Bittersweet”; the Kitty Wells-esque tribute to Nashville on “Woodland Street”; the album’s centerpiece, “King of America”; the clear nod to James Murphy (LCD Soundsystem) on “James”; and a cover of the Motels’ “Total Control.” Swift shows a lot of promise on this debut and I look forward to seeing where she goes on her upcoming release, Tennessee Rose. – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | Robyn Hitchcock, Gram Parsons, Anne McCue, Lucinda Williams