After his brilliant self-titled album, released earlier this year, and reviewed on this blog here, Dustin Brown released a new single, today, named “Ballerina“, via New Usual Records.
Produced by Ben Hussey, who also coproduced Dustin Brown’s self-titled album, this single was cowritten by Dustin Brown and Billy Hartman and features both artists, along with Rachel Cole.
First of all, this song is stellar songwriting. Each one of the three artists tells a lonesome tale, and their voices come together to create a coherent and elegant story, somewhat ethereal and poetic.
As the music is mostly acoustic, with guitar, bass, drums and subtle mandolin, perfectly produced, you focus on the beautiful lyrics, wonderfully highlighted by the voices of Dustin Brown, Rachel Cole and Billy Hartman.
“Dancing my way through your raindrops,
A ballerina never looked so rough,
I spun my wheels down on the highway,
Momma always said that I was tough,
Made a promise, then I broke it,
Now all I need is a little luck”.
If you love quality songwriting, you can’t miss this splendid song. If Dustin Brown’s talent as a storyteller is nothing new for those who listened to his wonderful self-titled album, there’s something very special with this new gem, thanks to the wonderful contribution of Rachel Cole and Billy Hartman. Their voices remain in your mind a long time after the listen, and that’s the irrefutable evidence of a brilliant song.
Nicolas Davelu
Country Music France 