Album Review: Inside A Silver Locket

Shaky Hollows not only have a great name, but are an alt-country, Americana folk quartet hailing from Ōtepoti Dunedin.

Back in 2017, they released their debut EP A Communion of Sorrows, following with a brief hiatus that thankfully saw them return in 2022 with a brand-new line up that presently comprises of Casey Hilder (lead vocals, acoustic guitar), Jared Smith (acoustic guitar, vocals), Holly Kerehi (fiddle, vocals), and David Lennon (bass) Since their re-emergence, it has been full steam ahead and now, they’re ready to share their new album, Inside A Silver Locket.

Shaky Hollows are true artists of the Americana, ‘hillbilly’ folk and alt genres, and the way they blend traditional string instrumentation with contemporary song writing is just stunning.

Heavy on that southern gothic influence on all twelve tracks, they create a moody and pensive atmosphere. Lyrically raw and haunting, yet gentle, singing of themes and stories of love and loss, addiction and recovery, downfall and salvation. It’s hauntingly beautiful.

Take track eleven – Wicked One. It’s melancholic, yet pretty, despite lyrics like “paying for what I’ve done..”. The honesty and pensiveness takes front and centre stage.

As with all the other tracks, Nothin’ Left To Lose is arranged beautifully. There’s something about this kind of Americana folk music stripped bare that makes you stop and marvel at how wonderful this genre truly is. Nothin’ Left To Lose is again pensive and sweet, like a favourite memory that brings a smile to your face, no matter how many years go by.

It truly is hard to pick a stand out track on this album. The more I listened, the more it pulled me in. However, Mama, It’s Alright does speak to me not only for its title and how it shares a similar title to Arthur Crudup’s That’s Alright (Mama), although some people might be more familiar with Elvis’s version (a personal favourite), but Mama, It’s Alright shares similar tones of relationship love and loss, resignation and acceptance. It’s bittersweet with a beautiful melody.

For a listening experience that brings you familiarity, comfort and timelessness, Inside A Silver Locket delivers all those things and more in such a profound way. This album is a truly remarkable piece of art.