Album Review: Austin Lucas - A New Home In The Old World

‘A New Home In The Old World’ is the fourth proper full length from a modern-day travelling music man, Austin Lucas. Having lived and played in numerous places across Europe and America, as well as playing in numerous different bands and genres, ‘A New Home…’ sees Lucas experimenting more than ever before. Far fuller than previous releases, utilising electric guitar and horn alongside more traditional instruments, Lucas’ blend of folk, country and Americana is more fulfilling and addictive than anything he has previously done.

Prior releases have relied heavily on the beauty and emotion of Lucas’ singing voice to carry the song. His masterful voice still plays a big part in the songs on ‘A New Home…’, but structure and instrumentation share more of a burden. There are still tracks that bare the trademark minimal instrumentation and sorrowful voice, like the beautiful ‘Nevada County Lines’ and the mournful ‘Sleep Well’, but we also see Lucas embracing more traditional structures. Opener ‘Run Around’ is a prime example, demonstrating that Lucas is more than capable of writing a traditional chorus and a hook when he wants.

The standout tracks are the ones where Lucas involves an electric guitar. Whilst, a full album of songs like this would take away some of the elegance and beauty of Lucas’ music, the tracks as they are on this album, make their brilliance all the better. ‘Thunder Rail’ is an absolute barn-stormer, the Hank Marvin-esque guitar lines and Lucas soulful voice work well, and the track is so good it could be a ‘Wichita Line Man’ for the 21st Century. ‘The Grain’ is reminiscent of a darker, more country-infused REM, while closer ‘Somewhere A Light Shines’ cleverly incorporates horns to make a truly brilliant track.

Austin Lucas is criminally under-rated. He has the ability to write and construct music that twists and surprises at every turn, yet is still soulful and beautiful. ‘A New Home…’ is showing him off at his very best. He is more than just a country artist, he is a songwriter and story-teller of the highest order.

5/5

'A New Home In The Old World' by Austin Lucas is out now on Hometown Caravan.

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Words by Dan Issitt