Drew Kohl is a singer-songwriter based in Nashville. His latest EP, New Rain, is set for release on October 21. His previous release, Sweetheart provided a sweet but not too sweet reflection on the subject of love in it’s many forms and stages. On New Rain, the overriding theme is loss and heartbreak.
Kohl describes the album as “folksy heartbreak songs, and Americana sadness”. And the mood here is one of heartbreak and sadness, but it is far from a depressing affair. Kohl’s rich and distinctive vocals and the lush, crisp production provide a blanket of comfort around these tales of lost love and missed opportunities.
While, Sweetheart, occasionally veered toward bluegrass, New Rain mostly sticks to a folk/ alt-country sound. The opening track, “Whose Gonna Take You Home?” does have some bluegrass elements, but it is subtle. The upbeat sound of the track belies the heartbreak evident in the lyrics.
Make no mistake, New Rain is a sad record in the finest tradition of country music. It is the strength of the songwriting, musicianship, and production that the keeps the sadness from becoming maudlin.
The album closes with a song that offers a tentative, resigned bit of hope “I won’t forget you girl, but tonight I’m gonna try.
Like his previous release, New Rain was recorded at The Smoakstack recording studio in Nashville. It was mixed and engineered by Zack Zinck.
Drew Kohl is backed on this release by Kiely Schlesinger on backing vocals, Jess Perkins on pedal steel, Brad Covington on Drums, Cameron Carrus on bass, and David Benedict on mandolin.
Listen to New Rain now.
