Elvie Shane has seamlessly fused country with soul in his new EP project – County Roads, released today through BBR Music Group. Here, we review the EP and give our thoughts on his debut EP available here.
Kentucky-born Elvie Shane has been grafting for years on his craft – a stint on American Idol, followed years of releasing music independently online – before signing a record deal with BBR Music Group. Last year, his single ‘My Boy’ reached the Top 30 on the Country Airplay chart. Today he releases his debut EP County Roads that is a blistering and exuberant project and introduction to the full scope of Shane’s sound. It’s a big, high energy sound that draws upon his own blue-collar existence for inspiration – revealing an immensely honest portrait of life in small town America – full of grit and colour, replete with soulful vocals and classic rock electric guitar.
For those introduced to Shane with ‘My Boy,’ this EP takes a different introductory note with the bombastic hit ‘County Roads’ – a rock-country sound, an electro-infused and anthemic rip-roaring introduction that feels very fitting for country radio right now. Next up, ‘Keep on Strummin’ offers another perspective on country-rock, feeling heavily inspired by The Eagles and 70s rock. Sonically, ‘Sundays in the South’ is where Shane really hits his stride, rip-roaring guitar pairs flawlessly with a soulful-gospel-tinged vocal that feels incredibly fresh yet nostalgic, its relaxed and moves with an almost irresistible swagger, and shows the power and range of Shane’s vocal.
Lyrically, ‘My Boy’ will take some beating, it’s an immensely poignant track that dives into a topic that has hardly been touched on from this perspective – the relationship between a stepfather and stepson. ‘Yeah, he’s my son and that’s my choice / He ain’t my blood but he’s my, he’s my boy.’ Quite simply, it’s one of the most powerful, emotional songs we’ve heard in years and is deserving of all the attention it has so far garnered. On ‘Sundress’ and ‘My Mississippi,’ Shane reveals his romantic sounds, looking back on a lost love on the former and the joys of his life on the latter, a touching track comparing his girl to Mississippi itself.
‘County Roads’ infuses nostalgic rock sounds with grit, poised lyricism and soulful vocals to create a colourful introduction to Elvie Shane – revealing an immensely exciting and dynamic artist, who is just now hitting his stride. It feels like we’re only just now scratching the surface of the dynamism of Shane and his country-rock sound.
