Karen Jonas is a Country and Americana singer songwriter from Fredericksbuerg, Virginia and has been pretty productive since arriving on the scene in 2014. She already has five albums to her name and now releases a four track EP called `Summer Songs`
First up is a cover of the Don Henley mid-eighties hit `The Boys of Summer` and it`s a delightful countryfied version with Karen`s sultry vocals, some driving bass and drums, swirling petal steel and to cap it all a captivating guitar solo. A perfect summer song. We have a dreamier pop Americana vibe with `Summer’s Hard for Love` a tale of a romance that`s struggling through a kind of misunderstanding between the potential protagonists.
`Thunder on the Battery` tells of a romance that seems doomed and with lyrics including references to “gentle summer rain” and “drizzle on the cobblestones” it`s seems a metaphor for the tears long shed on this relationship. The exasperation is almost tangible in the heart breaking vocal delivery. It took a slight reggae vibe and had a brief guitar solo in the later part but seemed a more melancholic offering. This extended play closes out with `Summer Moon` a quite introspective and reflective musing on a liaison that isn`t quite coming together. It` a fairly stripped back affair with acoustic guitar and Karen`s rich and at times breathy vocals.
There was much to enjoy on this ep and with the singer utilising her usual long term gifted associates Tim Bray (electric guitar), J. Tom Hnatow (pedal steel, wurlitzer), Seth Morrissey (bass, vocals) and Seth Brown (drums) it all flows so easily.
A delightful feel good fix for any Summer.
Rating 9/10
