Myles Cochran - Unsung
by Nicky Crewe
published: 8 / 3 / 2021

Label:
9Ball Records
Format: CD
intro
Building on the promise of last year’s ‘My Own Devices’ EP, American bluegrass and country instrumental musician Myles Cochran’s new album shows his talents to the full
Myles Cochran was born and raised in Kentucky. He brings bluegrass and country influences to his music and has recently worked with Irish musician Brona McVittie. There’s a place where these transatlantic influences meet and create something special. On this thirteen track album Myles builds on the promise of the four tracks he recorded for his EP ‘My Own Devices’, sharing credits with Irish cellist Richard Curran. ‘Unsung’ shares the four tracks featured on the EP, ‘Early Dark; (both versions here), the wonderfully titled ‘Love is as Beautiful as a Pizza’, ‘Churrito’ and ‘It’s Like This/It’s Like That’. The other nine tracks are equally as beautiful. The clue is in the title, ‘Unsung’. While the titles are intriguing, there are no explanations to be found in lyrics. I’m increasingly drawn to instrumental music at the moment, whether classical or contemporary, in all its forms, from traditional to jazz, from ambient electronica to experimental. There’s something special about the soundscape and accompaniment it provides to life. Lyrics require you to follow a story. Instrumental music creates a different kind of emotional response. Myles Cochran mentions Leo Kottke and John Fahey as influences. I hear echoes of John Martyn and Vini Reilly (especially in Crab of Many Shells’), and I’m reminded of Jim Ghedi and Toby Fay’s guitar improvisations too. This music is a magical and innovative fusion of traditional roots, contemporary production techniques, a range of string instrumentation and every type of guitar sound. Myles Cochran is now living in London and working in a retro-techno recording studio. I can see that this suits his approach to composing and performing. This album is a soothing balm to the soul for the current times.
Track Listing:-
1 September 7th2 Crab of Many Shells
3 The Light There
4 Early Dark (Springtime Remix)
5 Momentary
6 The Window
7 Love Is As Beautiful As Pizza
8 Early Dark
9 Churrito
10 Nevertheless
11 All Other Routes
12 Translucent
13 It's Like This, It's Like That
reviews |
My Own Devices (2020) |
![]() |
Excellent latest EP from Myles Cochran is a mesmerising instrumental soundtrack to the summer of 2020 |
most viewed articles
current edition
Pennyblackmusic - Writers and Photographers' Albums of the Year 2024Peter Perrett - In Dreams Begin Responsibilities Interview Part One
Man From Delmonte - Interview
Clive Langer - Interview
Pennyblackmusic - Book of the Year Award 2024
Johnnie Johnstone - Interview
Marianne Faithfull - Reflections
Laura Nyro - Profile
Johny Brown - Corpse Flower
Vinyl Stories - Vinyl 2024
most viewed reviews
current edition
Dorie Jackson - Stupid Says RunRingo Starr - Look Up
Beabadoobee - This is How The World Moves
Pixie Lott - Encino
Dusty Springfield - The BBC Sessions
Unthanks - In Winter
Joan Armatrading - How Did This Happen and What Does It Mean?
Rosie Lowe - Lover, Other
Oïmiakon - Comptoir Des Vanites
Emily Burns - Die Happy
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart