Band: Calico
Album: A Midnight Moon
Release Date: February 16, 2023
Genre: Folk/ Americana
CALICO, an independent Folk/Americana band based in Victoria & Vancouver, BC, formed at the start of the pandemic. A group of seasoned professional musicians, including JUNO-nominated members who have played in bands like Mazacote and The Paperboys (to name just a few). The band has unveiled its album, A Midnight Moon.
The seven-song release features two previous singles, “Don’t You Stray” and “Take Me With You,” together garnering over 80,000 streams on Spotify.
After listening to the album, the two tracks that stood out to me were “Take Me With You” and”Bye For Now.”
“Take Me With You” was released as a single last year and consists of heartfelt vocals and a haunting melody that lingers in the mind long after the song has ended. It is a beautiful and evocative folk track showcasing CALICO’s talents as musicians and storytellers. With sparse, relatable lyrics, “Take Me With You” leaves the listener wanting more.
The album closes with “Bye For Now.” I thoroughly enjoyed this track’s spoken word-syle melodic vocals, along with the straightforward guitar. The simplicity of this track has a way of showcasing a sense of warmth and adds depth to the lyrics. “I can’t hear you, but I know you’re there, somewhere near, in my mirror,” gave me chills. Although I’m not sure of the actual meaning of the track, I immediately felt it was related to a spiritual closeness, and that feeling stayed with me through the entirety of the track.
Overall, A Midnight Moon is a strong, unique, and impressive folk album that delivers top-notch vocals and musicianship.