Classic blues, soul and country have been back in vogue for a while now, which means there are plenty of pale imitations out there. The work of Ohio-born Nashvillian Patrick Sweany stands well apart from that of any pretender. His perfectly weathered voice and understated guitar skills deserve attention, but the bedrock of each of his records is his songwriting. His latest LP, Ancient Noise, released May 11, is sonically rich but not at all fussy, and was produced and engineered by Matt Ross-Spang at Sam Phillips Recording in Memphis. (Ross-Spang’s recent work at that studio includes both of Margo Price’s acclaimed albums.) Ballads like the quietly devastating “Country Loving” as well as uptempo grooving numbers like “Get Along” offer Sweany the room he needs to paint intimate pictures of his characters’ lives. Saturday he’s throwing a party at The Basement with Austin duo Greyhounds; they showcase a similar facility on their new record Cheyenne Valley Drive. STEPHEN TRAGESER
Patrick Sweany Album Release Feat. Greyhounds
