Morgan Leigh Garner and Courtney Dashe are the two women behind the new fiery duo, Hadley Park. This isn't your typical duo: the name 'Hadley Park' comes from the names of their two daughters, born four days apart. They're motivated by their children and encouraged by their husbands, and they've got a lot of life experience to draw from for their music. In their music, you won't hear songs about puppy love or growing up: you'll hear life lessons, stories of real life, and some fun, poppy jams for the heck of it.
On their debut EP, Retrospect, the duo hits all the bases of country music, ranging from country pop all the way to bluegrass-influenced tracks. They switch off lead vocals, with Garner singing lead on tracks 1 and 4-7, with Dashe taking the lead on tracks 2 & 3. The harmonies are incredible all the way through, with each voice clearly audible on every song, no matter who is singing lead. The blend is flawless, almost as if Dashe and Garner were born to sing with each other.
Two fun tracks kick off the EP, the title track "Retrospect" and "Livin' Large." These tracks have the most pop influence, and they seem made for country radio. The former song talks about getting out of the modern relationship rut and using inspiration from older times to improve a current relationship. The following track is full of summer-themed lyrics like "I'm livin' large, in the mini," and "I'm queen of the road." The reason this song is so cute is that it can connect to everyone, but also it speaks of keeping the kids in the backseat entertained. There's a definite fear of alientating young listeners in country music today, as those are the ones who listen to the radio the most, but even though this song is about the life of a family, it's a great song for anyone to jam to.
"Ken & Barbie" is a refreshing and witty take on modern-day marriages. More than 50% of marriages end in divorce, making most relationships complicated to say the least. But on country radio and mainstream music, marriage is portrayed as this perfect thing, something that is the ultimate goal, and then is easy and conflictless from saying "I do" to death. Hadley Park is able to incorporate the sad truths of modern relationships into the funny song about a marriage in 2016, and in any time ready. It's not "postcard pretty," the duo says. "Behind every fairytale, there's couple's therapy."
Two fun tracks kick off the EP, the title track "Retrospect" and "Livin' Large." These tracks have the most pop influence, and they seem made for country radio. The former song talks about getting out of the modern relationship rut and using inspiration from older times to improve a current relationship. The following track is full of summer-themed lyrics like "I'm livin' large, in the mini," and "I'm queen of the road." The reason this song is so cute is that it can connect to everyone, but also it speaks of keeping the kids in the backseat entertained. There's a definite fear of alientating young listeners in country music today, as those are the ones who listen to the radio the most, but even though this song is about the life of a family, it's a great song for anyone to jam to.
"Ken & Barbie" is a refreshing and witty take on modern-day marriages. More than 50% of marriages end in divorce, making most relationships complicated to say the least. But on country radio and mainstream music, marriage is portrayed as this perfect thing, something that is the ultimate goal, and then is easy and conflictless from saying "I do" to death. Hadley Park is able to incorporate the sad truths of modern relationships into the funny song about a marriage in 2016, and in any time ready. It's not "postcard pretty," the duo says. "Behind every fairytale, there's couple's therapy."
The closer of the EP is the powerful "Things I've Learned." The song was written by Dashe, Garner, and co-written by her then-nine year old nephew Kaleb Leigh. It's a sort of how-to guide, of how to deal with cancer and sickness. But even though this was written with disease in mind, it's a how-to guide for life as well. This kind of song is what sets Hadley Park apart from other duos: they approach difficult situations that aren't necessarily covered in country music and craft them into beautiful country songs. "See the good in all things first," Garner sings, giving the country world a few life lessons as relevant and powerful as Lori McKenna & Tim McGraw's "Humble & Kind."
Hadley Park have done something that no mainstream artist today seems to be able to effectively do: they talk about their life in real terms, but still have music that appeals to all ages. They introduce a new perspective on life with this EP, one that country music right now could really benefit from.
Best tracks: Ken & Barbie, Things I've Learned
Throwaway tracks: Another Bottle of Wine
Overall rating: 4 crowns
Hadley Park have done something that no mainstream artist today seems to be able to effectively do: they talk about their life in real terms, but still have music that appeals to all ages. They introduce a new perspective on life with this EP, one that country music right now could really benefit from.
Best tracks: Ken & Barbie, Things I've Learned
Throwaway tracks: Another Bottle of Wine
Overall rating: 4 crowns
Purchase 'Retrospect' on iTunes here.
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