★★★★☆
In 2013, Melbourne’s Jemma Rowlands released an EP under the name Jemma and Her Wise Young Ambitious Men.
Fast-forward two years, and following a name change, Jemma and The Clifton Hillbillies’ self-titled debut album is upon us – and it was well worth the wait.
Jemma and The Clifton Hillbillies is a refreshing country album with plenty of highlights. It begins with the single ‘April’s Fool’, its appealing melody and emotion-charged lyrics setting the tone for what’s to follow. The best track on the collection, though, is the catchy ‘Crying Room’, while other highlights include ‘Song Itself’, ‘Fightin’ Mad’ and ‘Killing Time’.
Fiddle, pedal steel and banjo feature prominently, delivered by Rowland’s peers: guitarists Sean McMahon and Ben Mastwyk, bass player Cal Walker, drummer Josh Duiker, pedal steel man Ben Franz and fiddler Jason Bunn. Despite the album’s relatively short length of just under half an hour, all its songs flow seamlessly.
Whether you’re a long-time country music fan or a new convert, this record is thoroughly enjoyable, suggesting a bright future ahead for Jemma and The Clifton Hillbillies.
The self-titledJemma & The Clifton Hillbillies album is out independently and available through Bandcamp.
