Kris Gruen – Coast & Refuge
Mother West – 7 September 2018
Born in New York but based in Vermont, Kris Gruen (son of legendary music photographer Bob) shades to the ringing guitar side of folk-pop, past comparisons having included Ryan Adams and Pete Yorn. As such, four years in the making, his new album ‘Coast & Refuge’ bounds out of the starting gate with Body In Motion, calling to mind the great Willie Nile on a number that captures the urgency of living life and not ossifying. That same musical energy and lyrical positivism also crackles through the inspirational Lions with its hints of The Lumineers, Young Hearts (a duet with Finland’s Peppina), By The Fire and What Brings You, all of which explode with a big sound and massive choruses.
It’s not all about hoovering up adrenaline shots, however. This slow down for the more reflective keys-backed Tightrope, the scuffling rhythms of Coming Down Around Me (co-penned by director Melissa Miller-Costanza and featuring on the soundtrack to her All These Small Moments) with its background whistling to the intro and Every Day And Night Now, co-written and featuring vocals by Peter Morén from Peter, Bjorn and John, although, admittedly, this one does pick up the tempo and volume as it progresses.
Closing with the spare, pedal steel and pump organ shaded nostalgia of 2008, featuring Samantha Yonack on harmonies, there’s a cinematic sweep to the album with a screenplay built around love, family, dreams and hope. Explore its shores and escape.
September UK Dates
7 September Rough Trade West, London store at 6pm
7 September Dignwalls, London (Gates of The West, Joe Strummer Foundation show – see attached flyer, below)
8 September Night & Day, Manchester w/ Jesse Malin & Craig Finn
Image courtesy of Artist