The Rails, Kami Thompson and James Walbourne, release the first taste from their stunning forthcoming third album today with this immaculate slice of modern contemporary folk ‘Mossy Well’.
Written by the Rails and produced by Stephen Street, best known for his work with the Smiths and Blur, It marks a welcome return for these fine purveyors of 21st-century folk. Now signed to Thirty Tigers, it’s the first new Rails music since the 2017 release of their ‘Other People’ album.
“We loved Stephen’s work on Graham Coxon’s solo records, loved that in your face guitar sound,” says Kami. “He was involved in every little element of the sound of this album.”
The sound of ‘Mossy Well’ is a rich folk melody. It’s a dark lullaby, an elegy of regret. It makes you wish you had faith in humanity.
What makes the Rails so special are their trademark harmonies, evident throughout ‘Mossy Well’ “We sing together, and we can’t wait till the other one joins in,” James Walbourne says of his wife. “That is something that’s great and very natural.”
Kami Thompson is folk royalty, daughter of Linda and Richard Thompson and sister of Teddy. James is an extraordinary guitarist who worked with Son Volt, the Pogues and the Kinks before joining the Pretenders. Together they make a unique sound that could only be described as magical.
The Rails play the following dates this summer:
Wed 31st July – LONDON, The Lexington
Thu 1st August – CAMBRIDGE, Folk Festival
Photo Credit: Jill Furmanovsky