Husband and wife duo KP (Kirsten Proffit) and Johnny Hawthorn strike such an uncomfortably mannered pose on the album sleeve that it comes as something of a relief to find that their songs are so direct and down to earth.
The couple’s second release is a collection of classic Americana built around Proffit’s strident vocals and Hawthorn’s twangy guitar.
Both were well established performers before they joined forces and their experience is used to simplify the content without making it banal. A cover of Lotta Love shows the sureness of touch, skilfully emphasising the pop-tones of Neil Young’s original.
Recorded in L.A. and Nashville, the duo are faithful to the affirmative spirit of classic Country music. KP says ”There’s been so much darkness lately, I wanted our record to feel like the light at the end of the tunnel.
Let’s Get is a declaration of mutual respect and commitment where KP’s voice is strongly reminiscent of Karen Carpenter. The corny lyrics could have made this a sicky sweet number but lines like “Let’s get together, our days won’t last forever” are delivered so forcefully that cynicism is effectively cancelled.
The ten songs are a mix of smooth ballads and bright-eyed country-rockers. Of course it’s formulaic and often predictable but it’s also unpretentiously authentic and the optimism is contagious.
