A twangy range of Americana and folk emotion shows throughout Get In Line, a riveting new album from The Hill, a Philadelphia-based project led by songwriter Jon Kowit. The former record store employee was “also quietly writing songs for decades, never heard,” per Kowit; these songs now see the light of day, bolstered by collaboration with childhood friend and notable Philadelphian artist Mike “Slo-Mo” Brenner.
“Dent” kicks off the album with emotive enthrallment. “I can’t make a dent in my world,” an affecting vocal refrain stirs amidst twangy guitar heart-aching. The mellow “running from myself,” vocal reflections and country-forward guitar tones converge with memorable qualities. The sense of “falling apart at the seams,” — and trying to find oneself — continue on the subsequent “Get In Line,” beckoning a call to action in the organ-laden chorus, full of warming replay-inducing charm.
More representative of the project’s balladry and retrospection, “Making Angels” weaves tender acoustics and solemn vocals. “Just so happy to be part of this world,” the vocals let out, capturing an innocence and goodness within a world of tumult. “Setting Sun” furthers the compelling ballad-set immersion, incorporating sporadic guitar gorgeousness with Meaghan Kyle’s stirring vocal presence. Finale “Driving” is also a standout, featuring a central refrain whose spacey textural additions and eerie verses contrast with gripping entrancement. Get In Line boasts an abundance of quality songwriting from The Hill.
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“Get In Line” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup, as part of the artist’s promotional campaign.
