Myles Cochran - Unsung

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 7th
2 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