Comparison is the lifeblood of most reviews, but apart from the nods to other artists and songs already mentioned above, Astoria sits quite comfortably in a an alt-country / rock / folk pocket all on its own. Leo Harmonay sounds very comfortable and accomplished in that skin and the breadth of his vision is impressive indeed.
Alt-Country
I Imagined A Window is a bit of a rollercoaster. It feels organic and authentic and thrilling, with a dusting of electronics, and, best of all, autotune has been given the day off. Good shout. Where the paint has peeled, it’s only added character and gravity to the ride and I, for one, want to go round again. It’s blown the cobwebs away!
Is there such a genre as ‘stoner country’? If not, it’s possible that Jesh has invented it! Warm and woozy in the way that a bottle of firewater shared around a campfire on a cold night might be.
Although he grew up in Germany, Georg embodies the spirit of country music better than most southerners. His lyrics and his stories are the main focus of his music, and This Ain’t My First Rodeo is a perfect example of that.
Brilliantly infectious, intensely satisfying folk-rock-indie-blues fusion. Leaves you wanting more, though there’s plenty to appreciate as you hit repeat.
New Orleans is a magical city but it also has a dangerous side. The black population are so unfairly treated. I wanted to convey the pain the city is in.
The music has both the nostalgia of country rock & the youthful story telling of an artist on the verge of breaking through those mainstream barriers.