Margo Price - Strays Review
With Strays, Price has created something truly special, and it's a reminder that she is a true force to be reckoned with.
Price is a pioneering force in the country music scene and a powerhouse vocalist. Her music is a mix of alt-country and indie, and her lyrics often explore themes such as substance abuse, self-image, and women's rights. Price has been open and honest about her experiences, from her battles with addiction and depression to her exploration of psychedelic mushrooms. With her powerhouse voice and witty songwriting, Price is a truth-teller and a modern-day storyteller. She is a light in the dark, a beacon of hope, and a reminder to never give up.
Margo Price's fourth studio album, Strays, is an eclectic mix of alt-country, indie rock, honky-tonk, psychedelia and expansive rock and roll. The record is full of raw emotion and narrative, from her own personal struggles to stories of others. Price has been open and honest about her experiences, from her battles with addiction and depression to her exploration of psychedelic mushrooms. The album features scorching riffs, heartfelt folk, and appearances by the Heartbreakers' Mike Campbell, making it her strongest and most cohesive record yet. Strays is an honest and vulnerable look at Price's journey, and a reminder to all of us to stay in the present and follow our souls. In order to create Strays, Price and her husband Jeremy Ivey rented an Airbnb in Charleston, South Carolina, where they took mushrooms and spent a lot of time listening to Patti Smith, Tom Petty, Joni Mitchell, Janis Joplin, Springsteen, and Dylan. The album was produced with a mixture of vintage and modern equipment, including a vintage console and a tape machine. The album features Mike Campbell from the Heartbreakers, Sharon Van Etten, and Lucius, and is a clear-eyed and mission-driven collection of songs.
Strays is full of raw emotion, personal storytelling, and meaningful lyrics. In the song “Light Me Up,” Price celebrates female pleasure and empowerment, singing “Can’t nobody light me up, like I can light me up.” On the title track, Price speaks to the complexity of life, exploring both the mundane and the extraordinary. In “County Road,” Price reflects on death and loss, singing about a relationship that has been cut short. In “Lydia”, Price narrates the story of a woman seeking an abortion and the struggles she faces. Her voice is like a raging river, her words like a fire in the night.
Strays is a stunning collection of songs that showcases her musical range and lyrical depth. From the sweeping country ballads to the fractured indie rock anthems, this album is a powerful statement from an artist at the top of her game. Price has crafted an album that is sure to leave a lasting impression – one of resilience, strength, and hope. With Strays, Price has created something truly special, and it's a reminder that she is a true force to be reckoned with.