Chicagoan singer-songwriter Rachel Drew and her band are set to release ‘Old Sky New’ March 1st, a collection of 12 soulful folk tracks that express swoon worthy romance, relational regrets, enough nature references to flood a rural listener with grass-filled summer memories, all with a dusting of lust throughout. ‘Old Sky New’ is Drew’s long anticipated sophomore release after 2016’s ‘Under The Sun’, having been delayed by 2020’s pandemic. You can sense the extra attention to detail time provided in creating a solid listen from front to end. Recorded and mastered by Blaise Barton in Chicago’s Joyride Studio, the record also features the instrumental prowess of artists John Szymanski, Alton Smith, Cathie Van Wert Menard, Michael Krayniak, Jason Batchko, and Chloe F. Orwell.
‘Old Sky New’ begins with ‘When I Dream Of You’ a poppy number in the style of The Ronettes or The Shirelles I can envision soundtracking a meet cute in an independent movie (any film music supervisors reading this, take note). Rachel Drew’s outpouring of romantic storytelling and folk pop is reminiscent of artists Shawn Colvin and Lisa Loeb, the LP the perfect backing for sunny afternoon drives. ‘I’ll Never Change’ is a lamentful warning to a lover: sometimes (majority of times) hopes and efforts aren’t enough to convert your loved ones’ ways. Expressive vocals paired with a stripped back arrangement, the track is made for adding to breakup playlists. Another highlight is ‘Blaze For You’: humbly sultry, it’s slinky without being too forward, a coy ode oozing amorous Spanish country sonics. Last track ‘If My Heart Was Made For You’ rises and swells with passion, Drew letting her vocals run free, ending the LP on a high note. The songwriter released a video to accompany it at the beginning of February, gaining traction ahead of ‘Old Sky New’. Chock full of colorful lights with a psychedelic essence as though in Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Room or a Meow Wolf location, the video for ‘If My Heart Was Made For You’ makes for an enjoyable watch and it’s evident Drew and her band were entertained in shooting it.
If you happen to be in the Chicago area at the end of March, be sure to check out Rachel Drew’s release party for ‘Old Sky New’ at Fitzgerald’s Nightclub on March 28th in Berwyn, Illinois for a night surely promised to be full of swaying and magical vibes. The Famous Brothers, a bluegrass group with comedic tinges, are set to open.
Sarah Medeiros