Son Volt’s tenth album Electro Melodier could be seen as a sequel to its 2019 predecessor Union – a collection of songs about the chaos and division that gripped America under Donald Trump. Two years later, not many of the issues addressed in Union have improved so Farrar continues to write about these subjects but also delves into some new ones on the latest LP. This time Farrar is a bit more optimistic and focuses on the lingering chaos and cruelty of the Trump years, a global pandemic, and protests and unrest caused by institutional racism in America. Farrar is a believer in grassroots movements – bottom-up problem solving that involves people working together – a point that is clear on Union and Electro Melodier. Notable tracks include: the bluesy climate change-focused number “Arkey Blue”; the rally cry for today on “These are the Times”; a song questioning the notion of the American dream on “Living in the USA”; a fiery song that pushes back against authority on “The Globe”; political con artists getting toppled on “Someday is Now”; a duet with Laura Cantrell which is an ode to Farrar’s wife, “Diamonds & Cigarettes”; a scornful historical tune about Andrew Jackson’s forced removal of the Cherokee on “The Levee on Down”; and a country-blues track calling for togetherness and compassion on “War on Misery.” Electro Melodier is an engrossing album from a seasoned songwriter who for more than three decades continues to hone his craft and his shifting worldview. – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | The Bottle Rockets, Centro-matic, Justin Townes Earle, Jay Farrar, Uncle Tupelo