Two Runner have been quietly building a stellar reputation in the Americana scene over the last few years: recording sessions with Western AF and Gems on VHS, and going on tour with Alela Diane and Watchhouse. The new album ‘Porchlight’ comes six months or so after violinist Emilie Rose left the duo, making Two Runner now a solo proposition led by songwriter, guitarist and vocalist Paige Anderson.
Paige has been playing in bluegrass bands since she was a child, as part of the Anderson Family Band and her sibling band The Fearless Kin. The fact she has ended up solo with this ‘Two Runner’ project shouldn’t be a problem, in fact maybe it can be a good thing to have a slight shield by using band name like Waxahatchee does. The vocal and musical contributions of Emilie Rose remain on this release and certainly add a lovely texture to the music, but it is the songwriting that really stands out.
From the opening song ‘Porchlight’ this album feels like stepping back into a warmly familiar musical world, like seeing snow again after a long summer. ‘Porchlight’ is a song of regret and sadness, about how time changes us all, dreams evolve and life moves on.
Taking the tempo up ‘Roadrunner’ is a brilliant mix of bluegrass and indie rock. The video has her out on a dirt bike, heading off road, finding herself in some isolated spots before diving into a lake. That slightly off track, independent spirit sums up much of the album.
The song ‘Strawberry Rhinestone’ is one of the tracks that got her noticed online and this recorded version manages to capture the spirit of those field recordings. She has also made a gorgeous looking video, with widescreen vistas and gorgeous horses. The optimism of the lines ‘don’t let the bad ones get you down / cos the good ones are hanging somewhere around’ feel comforting.
Despite the title ‘Punk Rock Bar’ is one of the most traditional sounding songs on the album, telling the story of a taking a gamble and falling in love. ‘Mocking Crow’ reminds us that ‘your heart knows what it needs’. Another song that has been around a while is the lovely ‘Late Dinner’, which is a toe tapping heartbreaker full of sadness and longing.
There’s a softer, sadder mood towards the end of the record with the melancholy ‘Missed Calls’ and ‘Five Minutes’, the latter of which reminds me a little of a quieter R.E.M. song.
The other stand out song on the album is ‘Burnout’ which many people will likely be able to identify with. She has been broken, lost and down like all of us have been at some point. ‘We all fight the burnout’ she sings, wondering ‘how do you find your way?’ Sit in a fig tree, sing a song, live in the moment are her thoughtful answers.
‘Porchlight’ is a warm, welcoming album that will appeal to many fans of artists we love on Highway Queens like First Aid Kit, I’m With Her and Esther Rose. For me this is one of the best to come out of the Americana scene this year. And I’m delighted to report that Paige will be supporting Alela Diane on her upcoming UK tour. Don’t miss it!
Highway Queens 
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