Published Feb 24, 2021
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Maybe it started with Uncle Tupelo, perhaps it was the Byrds — hell, it's probably always been this way — but alternative musicians find a great deal of solace in country music. It's an emotionally intelligent genre filled with self-deprecation and hard truths. Kyle Edward Connolly — the Toronto scenester known for his work with WISH, Beliefs and Orville Peck — is definitely not the first to blend indie rock and country music, but he may just be one of the best. With unique production and groovy melodies,
On Arrival doesn't appropriate any traditional approach to country music, nor does it feel inherently contemporary. The album settles somewhere in between, capturing a timeless quality reminiscent of George Harrison or Gram Parsons.