2017 was the year for alt-country rock goodness. Acts like Nikki Lane and Ruby Force, led the charge with tremendous releases. Ruby Force is the persona of multi-talented Erin McLaughlin and is perhaps her most personal release. Rolling Stone dubbed her one of the 10 New Artists You Need to Know earlier this year, but we were lucky enough to hear her fantastic album, Evolutionary War, before many others. The new alt country project of songstress Erin McLaughlin is refreshing, confident, and incredibly engaging. “Damn Your Love” plays like the greats who came before, mainly Dolly and Tammy, while still sounding refreshingly new. “Ode to Vic Chesnutt” is an equally as personal exploration of heroes and love. Her songwriting is able to connect with many – both the country blooded fans as well as those who simply love great songwriting.
Evolutionary War is Ruby Force’s debut ten-song record. It transports a listener through McLaughlin’s own experiences – from her upbringing in the yellow-hued fields of the Southwest, through the dank, fluoresced streets of urban metropolises, and across a myriad of international seas. Enlisting the collaboration of musical luminaries such as Elijah Thomson (Everest, Delta Spirit, Father John Misty), Richard Swift (The Black Keys, The Shins, The Archs, Foxygen), Frank Lenz (Pedro The Lion) and Sean Watkins (Nickel Creek), McLaughlin keeps good company on the sojourn as these creative partners inject a wealth of heart, brains and guts into her already soul-wrenching compositions.
The Fat Angel Sings 