Album Review: Courtney Marie Andrews - 'Loose Future'
Courtney Marie Andrews is free-hearted on sensational new album ‘Loose Future’.
Courtney Marie Andrews has had a very busy few years. Releasing her breakthrough album Honest Life in 2016, she hasn’t had a quiet year since.
Hailing from Phoenix, Arizona, she began performing her own songs at the age of 15, and in 2010, sang backup vocals on five songs for the band Jimmy Eat World.
2020 saw the release of Andrews’ Old Flowers, a record that is tonally different to this one, not quite as optimistic, and was compared to the likes of Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan. Loose Future is an album that feels like the end of summer, as if you can feel it’s warm rays across your face.
The title track serves as a terrific opener, with swirls of slide guitar and snapshots of images. The chorus brings with it a strong rhythm section, reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac. “No big picture, just the way it oughta be” she sings, drawing out the words deliciously.
A theme running through the album is one of carefree abandon, and not having things mapped out. On Older Now, Andrews welcomes change. “Life is better without plans.” She ponders.
Satellite is a gorgeous standout track, a love song with vocals so clear you feel like you’re floating, with layered acoustic guitar underneath. “My favourite piece of the sky” Andrews declares.
The record is dotted with sparse tracks like On The Line and These Are The Good Old Days, and although they’re slower, they are still a treat to listen to, with the latter having layers of glorious vocal harmonies.
Andrews’ song writing is incredibly honest and open as usual, similar to her contemporaries Waxahatchee and Madi Diaz, and on Thinkin’ On You, a joyous honky-tonk number, she channels Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt.
Americana is weaved through the album expertly, which shines on tracks You Do What You Want and Let Her Go. In the former, she addresses a former lover candidly; “I still hold space for you, even with all you put me through” the melody and lyrics echoing those of Drunken Angel and Metal Firecracker by americana/country legend Lucinda Williams.
Let Her Go is an utterly stunning track, slow and spellbinding, one that draws you in hypnotically. In the song, Andrews creates her own heroine who ‘dances to Tim McGraw’ and refuses to take her own advice. There is a mystical feeling to the song, and as the listener, you can’t help but want to meet this enchanting character and had better be quick about it because she moves fast; “While you have her attention, love her and let her know, then let her know.”
Although she has been compared to greats of the folk and americana scene, Courtney Marie Andrews has made it clear that her voice is entirely her own. This is an album that glitters with hope and optimism, something that we can all benefit from more of in our lives, especially at present. It’s safe to say that Andrews’ future in music is anything but loose.
Words by Lucy Skeet
