When the Grammys recently introduced a ‘Traditonal Country Album’ one of the artists who came straight to my mind was Brennen Leigh. She has regularly played at Robert’s Western World in Nashville, has a brilliant trio with Melissa Carper and Kelly Willis called Wonder Women of Country and just seems to perfectly encapsulate the vintage style of country music which gets unfairly overlooked by the mainstream.
Her new album, released back in October, called ‘Don’t You Ever Give Up On Love’ is a confident sounding continuation of the musical style of Wonder Women of Country.
Opener and album title track ‘Don’t You Ever Give Up On Love’ has a hopefully optimistic take on failing relationships. Even when life goes bad, another door might open that you didn’t expect. There’s a kindness to the tone of her voice too which is naturally endearing. The smooth honky tonk sound of this album is infectious from the start.
After that sweet little opener, you might expect the rest of the album to be full of love songs. However tracks ‘Dumpster Diving’ and ‘Thank God You’re Gone’ shows a more wryly humorous side to her personality. There’s a lot of Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton at their sassiest in songs like these.
On a song like “A Reason to Drink” she takes the cliched drinking song and turns it into something more interesting. The same can be said for the way she flips the classic breakup, heartbreak song with ‘You’re Finally Hurtin’.
One of the most enjoyable tracks on the album is ‘Nothin’ You Can’t Fix’ where she compares herself to an ‘old jalopy’ with knowing, self-deprecating awareness. On Texas Tumbleweed and Alone in the Lone Star she uses the state the album was recorded in as inspiration for songs of longing and loneliness.
She finishes the album with the gorgeous waltz ‘I’m Easy to Love After All’ where she has an awakening about her self-worth after her relationship ends.
‘Don’t You Ever Give Up On Love’ is my favourite of Brennen’s albums to date, filled with humorous and heartfelt songwriting. Just a delight from start to finish. In this world of ever evolving new technologies we shouldn’t take for granted those, like Brennen, who are keeping the old style alive.
BUY: https://brennenleigh.bandcamp.com/album/dont-you-ever-give-up-on-love
Highway Queens 
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