‘lonestar’ is a compilation focusing on Texas talent that goes beyond a genre. Entering a community we initially knew little about, we were greeted by beautiful and talented artists who welcomed us as family. this is an album made by friends for friends.

And some talented friends they have. Mouse Trap set the tone with the hushed sincerity of ‘Falling in Love’, the lo-fi textures conjuring a nostalgic innocence, and Crisman follows this with the equally patient and gentle ‘Go’. There are covers too, with Bare Mountain taking Emily Yacina’s ‘Miss You’ and further softening its edges and Skirts ejecting the mischievous energy of Alex G’s ‘Brite Boy’ to leave a vulnerable, heartbroken murmur.

Dead Sullivan do nothing to puncture the quiet haze with ‘Win’, and Fuvk’s ‘Madeline’ is equally sad and languorous, at least until the guitars bite back and introduce bolts of energy within the cloudy soundscape. The track signals something of a change of tempo for the release, as China Club bounce into the frame with the effervescent ‘Gucci Rainboots’, and although William Austin Clay’s ‘Flip’ loses some of the hyperactive edge, there are plenty elastic beats and fun vocal effects to keep things sprightly. ‘Game’ by Picnics does possess some of the groove of the previous track, though stretched like taffy so as to achieve a languid float.

With the dreamy mood reestablished, Why Bonnie enter with their stellar brand of duvet dream pop, before Hovvdy‘s distinctively sympathetic sadness drifts like evening dust. All that’s left then if for Pissing Boy to close things out with ‘There’s Just Life and Rings of Rubber’, a pastel-coloured piano ballad that morphs into noise rock before any vocals can emerge—a triumphant and affirming cacophony that captures the connection and kinship that marks the release.

lonestar: a texas friends and family compilation is out now and you can get it from the Peach Bloom Bandcamp page.

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