Kim Barlow: Champ

Singer-songwriter Kim Barlow’s latest album continues her strong collection with a gorgeous body of songs. Whether it is the simple, short, and alluring “Pony Camp” or the off-kiltered “Kay’s House”, Barlow doesn’t seem content to rely on adding layers of sound. Instead, she relies on the songs and whatever might be nearby in terms of instruments to get the songs across, as is the case with the light, breezy mid-tempo folk pop ditty “Out of Your Head” and the gentle, precious “But He Don’t”, another charmer. The album never hits a pothole when it comes to quality, even with some songs leaning towards a Celtic feeling during “Jake the Sailor”. Fans of Grey Delisle would lap up these songs immediately, although they’re often not as hushed or whispery, especially the album’s sleeper picks “Things I Miss” and the toe-tapping “Great White Nothing”. And Barlow also shines on the alt.country flavored “Out of the Woods”, which would have fit perfectly on Kathleen Edwards’ Back to Me. Definitely a winner.

Listen to “Pony Camp”

Listen to “Out of Your Head”

Listen to “Jake the Sailor”