To listen to Dean Owens is, quite simply, to listen to the best.
He has a knack for crafting intros that instantly transport you to a widescreen prairie landscape. This (translated as “Sacred Hearts”) is evident in his latest work, recorded in Italy, like the other two EPs in The Ridge trilogy.
The opener, “Spirit of Us,” is gloriously expansive. From the opening lines—”After we have gone, out of this room / And I’ve given you the sun and lassoed the moon”—you are drawn into Owens’ world.
As with all his recent releases, this EP, the culmination of The Ridge trilogy, features a mix of album-worthy tracks (and “…Us” is absolutely stunning) alongside some unreleased gems.
As is often the case with collections like this—and speaking as someone who cherished collecting singles and counts many B-sides among their favorite songs—the joy lies in discovery. “True of You” stands out like a diamond, with a violin and guitar solo that reaches a Jason Isbell-like crescendo.
Yet even in the other three tracks, there’s so much to savor. “El Minuto” is 63 seconds of Latin-tinged fun, and if anyone ever doubted Owens’ unparalleled whistling abilities, he proves it again in the haunting demo sketch of “The Gloaming,” which uses ethereal harmonies to stunning effect.
Then there’s “A Divine Tragedy.” Introduced with the words, “It’s another happy one,” it unfolds with piano, acoustic guitar, a touch of harmonica, and achingly beautiful harmonies. At five minutes and 36 seconds, it encapsulates the essence of Dean Owens—and these are the songs he’s not even using.
I hope Dean won’t mind me sharing this, but he played a rare Midlands show over the summer, giving me the chance to finally see him live. The experience was wonderful. During the break, he kindly asked if there was a song I’d like to hear. My answer was a half-mumbled “I don’t mind.” Pathetic, perhaps, but it reflected a simple truth: whatever he chose to play that night would have been superb.
And yet, despite his talent, the tiny venue wasn’t full. Somewhere, in a parallel universe, Dean Owens is a household name—but maybe that wouldn’t suit him. Those of us that know are well aware that Spirit Ridge—judging by the strength of the songs released so far—is already shaping up to be one of the standout albums of 2025.
Rating: 9/10
