I promise you — this album isn’t a reissue, rescued from dusty obscurity by an avid collection. Martha Spencer’s self-titled album is, in fact, her debut and it will, in fact, be released on November 2nd. The album is steeped in the traditions of Spencer’s Blue Ridge Mountains, taking cues from bluegrass and country music’s earliest days. Spencer’s certainly got the voice to match her aesthetic. Her cover of “Ruby,” by one of the genre’s first woman solo artists Cousin Emmy, recalls the pure joyfulness of making music — as well as a sense of pride in one’s roots.
Spencer’s originals flow seamlessly with the classics she showcases here. “Let the Wild Stay Free” is a delicate homage to her home, a song that encompasses the sense of awe one needs to appreciate the beauty there is. And, of course, it wouldn’t be a country album without a few breakup songs — clearly the good ones don’t have to be at all explicit. Overall, Spencer’s album is proof that sticking to your vision while get you far. Half a decade ago, there was a crowded field of people cosplaying the ’40s who would have, with varying degrees of success, attempted to lay claim to vintage-sounding country. Those people have moved on to ransack the ’70s, leaving those with a true sense of appreciation for the form. Spencer’s interpretations remind us of the power country music had from the jump — and the power it still has in the right hands.
Martha Spencer — Official, Facebook, Bandcamp
Thanks for reading! You can hear Martha Spencer on the Adobe & Teardrops podcast this Friday — or for $1 a month on our Patreon, even sooner! You can also drop us a one-time tip on our Ko-fi!