Files this one under “country radio can be good!” The Heels caught my ear a few months back with “High Heels On,” a swaggering anthem of liberation. With the help of silver-toned Aaron Pritchett, the Canadian trio is back on the rebound with “Catch and Release.” The song is a perfect pop country confection: while the ever-present drum samples remind us this song is from 2021, the four put such a sense of fun — and emotion — into their singing that it feels like it could be straight from the ’90s.
The Heels’ story began at a North Vancouver café co-owned by Kyla Rawlins, where Brittni Dominelli worked behind the counter. Bobbi Smith was a regular customer, and the three soon decided it would be more rewarding artistically and emotionally to join forces rather than pursue individual solo careers. Momentum steadily built from there with their debut single “Come Around” hitting radio in 2017 and performances at the Calgary Stampede and the Sunfest Country Music Festival further raising their profile in western Canada. It all propelled Love, Heels to garner six B.C. Country Music Award nominations in 2018, with an additional slew of nominations coming the following year.
And now they have spent much of these past three years winning over audiences with a dynamic live show that showcases each of their distinctive voices and personalities, they also found time to write over 100 songs during several trips to Nashville—and at their home base in Vancouver— for their “I Am”. By incorporating influences ranging from classic country, gospel and Motown, through to powerful contemporary female artists such as Sheryl Crow, Carrie Underwood and Whitney Houston, The Heels’ music, although it may be categorized as country, displays a unique musical vision that transcends the genre. Bobbi, Brittni and Kyla still get a kick whenever someone assumes they’re sisters. They know it’s not just because of their seamless “family blend” harmony, but because of the obvious personal chemistry they share. And when that chemistry comes down to spreading positive energy, there is just no limit to how high The Heels will lift us.