Acoustic country warmth and stories of nostalgia and experience, connection and contemplation – Biggy captures a sense of melodic and thoughtful wonder, with the five original songs of Rib and Road.
Beginning with the acoustic rising optimism and memories of Two Kids in ’02, the songwriting follows a mellow and intimate verse, personal and largely anecdotal for that new sense of story, towards an uplifting hook that’s bright and inclusive in both lyric and instrumental vibrancy.
It’s a catchy and comforting celebration of valuable times, and it leads well into the more slick and stylish Americana riff and harmonica of The Long Road To Bathurst.
Think old-school country and folk for this one, a story of incarceration, a heartfelt vocal style and a crisp acoustic groove, a rising passion that’s powerful and evocative, and a snappy hook resolve that lets the title ring out.
That same Americana swagger and voice picks up the pace a little for the rock and blues euphoria and raw performative realism of Hell & High Water – a timeless gem of a mid-EP highlight. And arrangement matters further still, as we settle back down into the acoustic fireside romance of A Love Like Yours, straight afterwards.
Another well-written song, a low-key shoulder-sway of a groove, and a growing emotional brightness and poetic imagery all vague enough to be made your own.
Biggy wraps up this EP with a much-welcomed twist of something like trap-country – a modern take with faster-flowing verses and a story and performative charm that’s well-placed to bring the project to a hopeful and empowering finish.
Future So Bright is everything its title promises, and Biggy’s vocal nuance lets the humanity of the track connect throughout. A live delivery would bring this to life all the more strongly, but for the time being, Rib and Road is a fine collection of contemporary country pop songs that are easy to escape into, to let lift you up whenever you need a little boost.
This closing song features a gospel-style crescendo of voices during its latter half, a brief and beautiful moment that helps secure its strength as one of the most impactful songs of the Rib and Road EP.
Listen to Rib and Road on Deezer, Apple, Spotify.
