Review: Kären McCormick, Retro
The first thing that hits you is the voice, like Swarovski crystal come to life, full of luminous and surprising colour, strong yet delicate. Next, the intense vulnerability of the lyrics arrive like a punch to the gut. Kären McCormick’s debut EP Retro isn’t rewriting the rules of country music but elevating classic elements — been-done-wrong themes twined around absolute torch and twang — with a power that’s amazing . . . and consistently heartbreaking.
None of her country covers posted to YouTube quite prepared us for this. Despite its shiny veneer and bubble-gum-sticky chorus, “Heartbroken Girls” wearily chronicles men moving on, maddeningly unencumbered with thoughts of the damage their leaving leaves behind. “Girl in Blue” and “Congratulations” both see their protagonist bravely/sadly watching from the sidelines as their paramours fall for someone else. The comparatively giddy and upbeat “If This Bar Could Talk” is self-explanatory.
Only the title track, with its as-advertised throwback vibe, locates McCormick in a truly happy place, the unequivocal apple of someone’s eye. But if, as the saying goes, misery loves company, McCormick is soon to be surrounded by many.
Retro was released September 25, 2020.
Listen to it here
Listen to "Retro" off of Kären's debut EP '
Featuring original songs by Ken Harrower and Johnny Spence performed live alongside a country band.