The personal journey of August Ponthier has blended with the musicial. That path has taken Ponthier into opening slots for Brandi Carlile and even greater levels of acclaim. The singer's new record, Everywhere Isn't Texas is full of lush, emotive tunes which skirt the edges of both mainstream pop and indie.
The title cut is lovely, a hymn to getting out of your home and finding yourself, while the smart "Handsome" details Ponthier's path to gender awareness with wit and lyrical nimbleness. Even better is "World Famous", a number which should earn comparisons to the best Weyes Blood material.
August Ponthier pours a lot of themself into this record. And while Everywhere Isn't Texas is a remarkably personal record, it's also a superbly arranged pop one. Fans of Jenny Lewis and even Taylor Swift will find some of this very engaging. And throughout this all, Pontier's gorgeous voice takes the focus. The songs swell, and the arrangements are precise, but it's August's vocals which are what make Everywhere Isn't Texas such an engaging listen.
Everywhere Isn't Texas by August Ponthier is out now. Details via Bandcamp.
[Photo: Julian Buchan]