Album: Don’t Look Down by The Burnt Pines

The Burnt Pines’ recent album “Don’t Look Down” is a roller coaster of sentiments that need the listener to be emotionally prepared for the waves of euphoric and melancholic feelings. As well as being ready to explore a distinct folk sound and get your spirit lifted with a quality performance.

The Burnt Pines are Kris Skovmand, Aaron Flanders, and Miguel Sá Pessoa. This trio produces music with an obvious shared spark, an ear-pleasing blend of Folk, Americana, Pop, and even hints of Jazz, and with such diverse lyrical themes that one will likely find their own story in some of them.

“Don’t Look Down” is an original eleven-track album, with the twelfth being a surprising cover. There’s no song like the other in any aspect; it’s an incredible listening experience with being taken on a personal journey of the trio’s lives, where they share with us joyful and dreary moments. How the singles are diversified shows the band’s musicianship and their authentic artistry.

“Bring Out Your Book” is the opening spirited Americana track that gets one ready to hup up and dance. The harmonica is the standout instrument that sings along with the melodic vocal line and the harmonic female background vocals of Erica Leigh. It has an appealing arrangement that has the mojo to drag one into the rest of the album.

Sometimes in serious relationships, we reach a point in the middle where it’s hard to stay, but it’s also hard to leave! The title track “Don’t Look Down” conveys this dilemma through a light melody, catchy riffs, upbeat drumming, and emotional vocals that offer the tension of such a situation.

Moving on to “Pushing On” and its positive atmosphere, it’s the kind of song one needs to hear when they’re having a bad time and need music that can give them hope, joy, and a push to sway a little with a smile. The entire musicality sounds perky and shiny, while the lyricism is inspiring and the vocals embody it with an influencing, delighting character.

“What Did You Come Back For?” is a melancholic take with a poignant vocal line, acing lyrics, and overall vulnerable sensibilities. The guitar riffs, bright bassline, gentle drumming, and moving piano notes are harmonizing together to portray the “I’m hurt but I’m fine” melody, which is comforting and painful at once.

“Angels and Violence” sounds as gloomy and heart-breaking as any relationship’s moving on phase. The lyrics depict the struggle, and the acoustic chords try to ease the agony, but the soulful vocals leave no room for a break; you’ll get moved and feel the dark ambiance anyhow. Nevertheless, the dreamy outro makes one breathe a little.

Continuing to be varied on themes, mood, and enchanting arrangement, “In from the Outside” is more of a revolutionary work with lyrics that can be sorted like a frustrated letter. The featured instrumentation is delicate yet has a rebellious timbre. The vocal line is mesmerizing! It has a disappointed tone, yet it sounds intoxicating.

“Your Magic Is to Blame” is a soothing love song with dreamy riffs and an enticing vocal line that conveys both adoration and disappointment. How the storytelling goes smoothly and spreads affectionate vibes all over makes one wish it was written about them, even when it’s a bittersweet love story!

With a jazzy touch and bouncy rhythms, “The Ghost Living in My Beer” presents light-hearted tones, yet it carries a serious theme and an awareness message. As it’s more of a love-hate relationship with alcohol, illustrating being both free and a hostage. The shimmering riffs, ardent drumming, and starry saxophone are all mashing so well with the lush vocals and the tricky, flirty lyrical content.

Disconnecting from reality with the peppy and warm “Welcome Home” The song has a fictional and affectionate sense where one falls in love with an alien, and the magical combination backs up the concept well. The vocals are playful and dulcet, and there are Mariana Lebre Torres’ backing vocals that give it an extra taste. It’s surely makes one soar up high after being overwhelmed with different sensations in the previous singles.

“Daytime TV” spread a dismal and introspective setting as the album almost came to an end. The piano is the key instrument here, and its emotive playing suits the serene yet sombre vocal delivery. Smooth storytelling is offered in realistic lyricism. I think this one might be relatable to many!

“Bad Love” is speeding the pace into a friskier and more colorful atmosphere. It has got some infectious riffs, dynamic drumming, and zealous singing. Theme-wise, it’s not as strong as the other songs. However, its engaging delivery is what grabs the ears and hearts here.

Closing off the album with an exceptional cover of Jethro Tull’s pop tune, “Skating Away (On the Thin Ice of the New Day),” The song has quite the right ending with its ethereal vocal performance and airy instrumentation. It’s the trio’s proof that they can ace originals and covers and sound genuine in both.

All that’s left for you to do is dive into the mood swings, outstanding musicality, remarkable vocal range, and enthralling chemistry of the trio. You don’t have to be an avid fan of the genre to enjoy it; the band will lure you into listening regardless.