New music: Neil Young, Richard Öhrn, The Jorgensens

Fans of classic rock, artful power pop and rousing Americana will want to check out a trio of new titles available now.

Artist: Neil Young & Crazy Horse

Title: World Record (Reprise)

You might like if you enjoy: Neil Young, Nils Lofgren, early Pearl Jam

Tell me more: World Record marks Neil Young and Crazy Horse's second album of new material released in 2022, coming only four months after the July release of Toast. Co-produced by Rick Rubin and Young, the album is bolstered by Young's long-time on-and-off again outfit Crazy Horse (bassist Billy Talbot, drummer Ralph Molina, guitarist-accordion player Nils Lofgren). While the future of the planet is far from certain, Young carries out hope for our endangered home via the lovely opener "Love Earth." Young unleashes a sonic firestorm of blues-drenched grunge on "Break The Chain," a song that certifies Young and company can rock as powerfully as ever. The lyrics are bleak to be sure, as evidenced by the final verse: "Let's break the chain / No human home and scarce little time / Break the chain / Break the chain." Elsewhere, Young's concern for the earth is revisited via the more experimental accordion-adorned "The World (Is In Trouble Now)" where he sings: "The flowers growing from the ground / The sunlight shining down / My memories of the past delight / In all the things I found / Because the earth has held me so." Other powerful originals on the collection include the beautiful mid-tempo rocker "I Walk With You (Earth Ringtone)" anti-war plea "Walkin' On The Road (To The Future)," yearning distortion-and-feedback wrapped "Chevrolet, and gentle Americana-flavored "This Old Planet," the latter bolstered by the layered tandem sounds of accordion and piano. Information: NeilYoungArchives.com.

Artist: Richard Öhrn

Title: Sounds in English (Big Stir Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Matthew Sweet, The Hollies, Richard X. Heyman, In Deed

Tell me more: Uppsala, Sweden's Richard Öhrn is out with his wonderful debut Sounds in English, an amazing introduction to his talents as singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer. A member of the Swedish rock outfit In Deed that impressed in the early '00s with At 4000 Meters, Öhrn's new solo effort allows him to celebrate the pioneering sounds of a slew of his notable heroes — The Zombies, The Hollies, Simon & Garfunkel, The Searchers —  all while fusing those classic sounds fully with his own creative songcraft. The dozen tracks that span the disc are a true delight, with melody, harmony and emotion offered up in equal measure. The jangly opener "Seal Your Move" is bolstered by the artist's work on the 12-string Burns guitar as well as his melancholy mining vocals. The lovely folk song "5th Month Announcement" and dashing power pop sortie "Time's Not Running Out" are other early highlights on Sounds in English. "The Coolest Manners" is an immersive baroque pop gem, tapping into bona fide Zombies territory. The infectious melodic rocker "Take This Bottle," jazzy "Every Shade," dramatic "If I Could Read Your Mind" and sumptuous closer "Spanish Moon" are among the other shining originals on the album. Information: BigStirRecords.com.

Artist: The Jorgensens

Title: Americana Soul (Paramour Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Johnnyswim, Americana

Tell me more: Americana Soul is the perfect introduction to The Jorgensens. A Minnesota-based group headed by married couple Kurt and Brianna Jorgensen, the troupe blends blues, soul, roots, jazz, R&B and others styles across the aptly titled Americana Soul. Opening the record is the inspired "Old Black Crow," a track featuring Kurt Jorgensen's strong lead vocals and muscular slide guitar work as well as a wonderful Latin funk finale. The followup "Miles" features Brianna Jorgensen's signature soprano positioned amidst a soundscape that includes slide guitar and the artful use of horns. The soulful "Dark Road" blends soul and gospel flourishes with some flashy guitar further enhancing the track. "Shake It" weaves and rolls via a deep groove whilst layered with powerful lead and harmony vocals. The blues ballad "Leave Your Light On" finds the couple sharing lead vocals and enhancing the traditional soundscape with creative harmonies. "State Line" is a luxurious foray that showcases Brianna Jorgensen's top-tier singing. Americana Soul is welcome addition to the growing Americana music movement. Information: TheJorgensens.com.

Robert Kinsler

The Jorgensens bare their soul on 'Americana Soul' out November 4, 2022

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THE JORGENSENS BARE THEIR SOUL…. AMERICANA SOUL

~NEW CD & LP OUT NOVEMBER 4, 2022~ ~PARAMOUR RECORDS~ New York, NY (October 26, 2022) – On November 4, celebrated musical collective The Jorgensens, led by harmonizing duo Kurt and Brianna Jorgensen, will proudly present their new album Americana Soul on November 4, 2022 (Paramour Records). Specializing in an honest, authentic style of roots rock/AAA/Americana-steeped sound, The Jorgensens’ have earned a loyal fanbase and press adulation for their signature steel-sharp musicianship, honey-soaked harmonizations, and relatable lyrics, which have drawn comparisons to Delaney and Bonnie and Alabama Shakes. Kurt’s mix of vintage guitar, bouncy basslines, and modern technology blends with Brianna’s classically-trained multi-instrumental talent, as she deftly commands keyboards, guitar, and mandolin, among others. Add the remaining members unique, diverse talents, and the result is a mix of vintage classiness, hip style, and a love of fun (which beams out of their music videos). Blending influences from the blues, bluegrass, traditional earthy spirituals, and jazz into a unique, distinctly America-bred musical style, their story in and of itself is that of a bond between various personalities. The roots of The Jorgensens were set in 2014 in St. Paul, MN, when singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Brianna Tagg was introduced to fellow vocalist/songwriter/guitarist/producer Kurt Jorgensen. Embarking on a musical journey with their first album Jorgensen/Tagg, they continued to write music as their bond grew stronger. As both were getting sober, Kurt was also suffering the weight of a recent divorce – seeing each other through these difficult times forged an incredible connection. Something amazing happens when soulmates create music; when kismet seeks to bring two creative forces together in a way that allows them to express kindred emotions and sentiments through song. Originally starting as collaborators, Kurt and Brianna would go on to marry, give birth to a son, and infuse their kinetic energy into The Jorgensens, which blossomed with the additions of Andra Lee Suchy (vocals), Brenda Lee King (Bass Guitar), Jeff King (Saxophone, Clarinets), Jeff Levine (Trumpet), Mark O’ Day (Drums, Percussion), and C Harris (Percussion). It’s this closeness that radiates through every note, twang, and lyric of their songs, as evidenced on the current feel-good single “Old Black Crow”, which is already making waves at radio. This simpatico energy burns bright on Americana Soul. Paramour Records Paramour Records is a new division of The Paramour Group, a multi-facet entertainment company with a long history as a boutique international agency and management company. The label, which is distributed by MVD Entertainment Group, specializes in creating an environment for music artists to explore and expand into a broad spectrum of media, blurring the lines between art mediums, including film, music, publishing, television, and games. In addition to offices in Los Angeles, Melbourne (FL), Troy (MI), and Neillsville (WI), Paramour Records has strategic partners in NYC, Hamburg, Germany and Glasgow, Scotland, perfecting their global reach. TRACK LISTING: Side 1 Old Black Crow Miles Boom Boom Boom Hey Baby Shake It Side 2 Out of My Mind Leave Your Light On Dark Road Twenty Years State Line Website: www.thejorgensens.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thejorgensensofficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejorgensensmusic/ YouTube: https://bit.ly/3TgEoPm