All we’ve heard is the lead single, but I can already tell Kelsey Waldon’s next album is going to be special.
Titled Every Ghost, Waldon’s sixth record is an incredibly introspective project in which she grapples with the ghosts of her past, present, and future to addresses heavy topics of addiction, loss, and self worth before coming to terms with the experiences that have shaped her into who she is today.
A vulnerable, first-person coming of age story through which she learns to appreciate herself, it sounds as if the process of making this album was therapeutic for Waldon, and with her spectacular songwriting and pure vocals, the album is bound to be therapeutic for many who listen as well.
In a press release circulated by her team at John Prine’s Oh Boy Records, Waldon provided some commentary on the album herself.
“There’s a lot of hard-earned healing on this record. I’ve put in the work not only to better myself and leave behind bad habits, but also to learn to love my past selves. It took time and experience, but I’ve come to find compassion for who I was, and that’s a major part of this album.”
Self-produced with the help of Justin Francis, and recorded at Southern Grooves studio in Memphis, TN, Waldon’s sixth record Every Ghost is sure to feature some of her most profound and mature work to date. And with her band the Muleskinners backing her, you can count on it being country to the bone, too.
The lead single “Comanche” is no exception, either. With a steel guitar driven back beat and perfect vocal delivery, the song is sonically reminiscent of a 90s country classic, but the highlight of the song is Waldon’s lyricism. With memories of her 1988 Jeep Comanche at the forefront of it all, the song is a big metaphor for setting boundaries and personal growth, as she expounded in another quote from the press release.
“I Love the whole aspect of when design mattered. Owning your car was an expression of yourself. ‘Comanche’ is about grappling with the loss of a loved one but not death – it’s to boundaries that I’ve set myself.”
Every Ghost isn’t set for release in its entirety until June 20, but you can go ahead and give the first single “Comanche” a listen and check out the music video here:
And here is the full tracklist:
Every Ghost Tracklist:
“Ghost Of Myself”
“Comanche”
“Tiger Lilies”
“Falling Down”
“Nursery Rhyme”
“Let It Lie”
“Lost in My Idlin'”
“My Kin”
“Ramblin’ Woman”
The pride of Monkey’s Eyebrow, Kentucky, Waldon has been an underrated artist at the forefront of Kentucky’s music scene since the release of her debut record The Goldmine back in 2014. She and her band The Muleskinners are hitting the road hard this summer to promote Every Ghost, and if they’re coming to a city near you, that’s not a show you’re going to want to miss.
Tour Dates
6/17 – Skinny Dennis – Nashville, TN
6/19 – Pearl Street Warehouse – Washington D.C.
6/20 – Hill Country – New York, NY
6/21 – Ortileb’s Lounge – Philadelphia, PA
6/23 – Beachland Ballroom & Tavern – Cleveland, OH
6/24 – The Attic – State College, PA
6/26 – The Funhouse at Mr. Smalls – Millvale, PA
6/27 – Purple Fiddle – Thomas, WV
6/28 – Cat’s Cradle – Carrboro, NC
6/29 – The Annex – Norfolk, VA
7/9 – Larimer Lounge – Denver, CO
7/10 – Ok=skar Blues – Colorado Springs, CO
7/11 – Big B’s Delicious Orchards – Hotchkiss, CO
7/14 – Mendocino Music Festival – Mendocino, CA
7/15 – Cypress – Lake Tahoe, NV
7/17 – Music On Main – Victor, ID
7/18 – Neurolux – Boise, ID
7/20 – Under the Big Sky Festival – Whitefish, MT
7/22 – The Park Theatre – Winnipeg, MB
7/23 – The Aquarium – Fargo, ND
7/24 – The Bur Oak – Madison, WI
7/25 – Duke’s Indy – Indianapolis, IN
7/27 – FloydFest – Check, VA
8/21 – Knuckleheads – Kansas Ciy, KS
8/22 – Mercury Lounge – Tulsa, OK
8/23 – Rose Music Hall – Columbia, MO
8/24 – The Whitewater Tavern – Little Rock, AR
8/27 – White Oak Music Hall – Houston, TX
8/29 – 3TEN ACL Live – Austin, TX
8/30 – Magnolia Motor Lounge – Fort Worth, TX
8/31 – Gruene Hall – New Braunfels, TX
