Headlight [Violet Marble LP]

by Della Mae

Overview

Following an extended hiatus, Della Mae returned in 2019 with the muscular EP The Butcher Shoppe, which turned out was a mere appetizer for Headlight. On this 2020 full-length album, Celia Woodsmith, Kimber Ludiker, and Jenni Lyn Gardner decided to charge into musical territory previously unexplored by the group. With the assistance of producer Dan Knobler -- a veteran of records by Kelsey Waldon, Caroline Spence, and Lake Street Dive -- Della Mae adds considerable aural texture to their sound, weaving in keyboards, electric guitar, organ, and drums, not to mention guest harmonies from the McCrary Sisters on three songs. The expanded sonic palette allows Della Mae to dig into some genres they only nodded at in the past -- "I Like It When You're Home" has a zydeco flair, "First Song Dancer" is a bawdy blues -- and the band's enthusiasm for playing with new rhythms and textures is palpable, even infectious. Still, the heart of Headlight lies in the social activism and empowerment that has been at the center of Della Mae's music since their first record. Woodsmith wrote its title track after watching Dr. Christina Blasey Ford testify during the Senate confirmation for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, an event that also echoes through the mellow rallying cry "It's About Time." The songs have a welcome sense of urgency but they're paired with the slow, swaying "Working" and "The Long Game," where the members of Della Mae acknowledge how they're starting to feel the weight of their years, a sensation they choose to embrace rather than ignore. This calm acceptance of the passing of time helps ground Headlight, giving the songs of protest resonance and lending joy to the lighter moments, helping to turn it into a proud and quietly defiant statement of middle-aged purpose. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	06/07/2024
Label:	Rounder
UPC:	0888072152762
Rank:	120729

Tracks

1. Headlight
2. Change
3. The Long Game
4. I Like It When You're Home
5. The Odds Of Getting Even
6. Wild One
7. It's About Time
8. Waiting For You
9. Peg Monster
10. First Song Dancer
11. Working
12. I Can't Pretend

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Della Mae   Primary Artist
The McCrary Sisters   Primary Artist,Vocals,Guest Artist,Featured Artist
Jamie Dick   Primary Artist,Drums,Percussion
Dan Knobler   Cowbell,Mellotron,Synthesizer,Bass (Electric),Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Baritone),Guitar (Electric),Guitar (12 String),Guitar (12 String Acoustic),Hi String Guitar (Acoustic)
Jenni Lyn Gardner   Vocals,Mandolin,Octave Mandolin
Zoe Guigueno   Bass (Upright)
Avril Smith   Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Jen Gunderman   Organ,Piano,Celeste,Harmonium,Mellotron,Wurlitzer,Vibraphone,Synthesizer
Vickie Vaughn   Vocals,Guest Artist
Celia Woodsmith   Guitar (Acoustic),Vocals
Kimber Ludiker   Fiddle,Guitar,Vocals

Technical Credits

Dan Knobler   Engineer,Producer,Drum Programming,Mixing
Maya De Vitry   Composer
Jenni Lyn Gardner   Composer
Jacob Blumberg   Engineer
Rachael Moore   Assistant Engineer
Jimmy Hole   Package Design
Paul Blakemore   Mastering
Mark Erelli   Composer
Thaddeus Pasierb   Illustrations
Tony Kamel   Composer
Caitlin Canty   Composer
Jon Weisberger   Composer
Kimber Ludiker   Composer
Melody Walker   Composer
Celia Woodsmith   Composer