There sure are a lot of sub-genres of country music these days, and Nashville’s Aubrie Sellers’ vision might fall in the more rugged/spacey areas of twang. Influences like The Kinks and Led Zeppelin enter this third album, which explores the psychology of relationships via a moody template.
The bright and hazy “Subatomic” opens with Sellers’ expressive voice unfolding in a dense fuzz that uses Shannon Wright’s backing vocals well. “Trigger” then makes great use of Lee Holland’s scrappy drums and backing vocals courtesy of Amie Miriello and Vanessa Olivarez, as some soulful moments enter the lush melodies.
Deeper into Side A, the pretty and reserved “Mirage” floats in dreamy territory, while “Delusional” recruits Ashley Monroe’s flowing voice to the thoughtful duet that picks up steam thanks to Ethan Ballinger’s powerful and intricate guitar licks. The title track rounds out the first half, and places Ken Yates on vocals alongside Sellers’ intimate voice and Rich Brinsfield’s warm bass playing that yields an emotive climate.
The back half of the listen leads with the textured grace of the buzzing “Villain Of The Week,” and the softness of the cozy “Look Up.” “Prototype,” which welcomes Rachel Thibodeau and Stephony Smith’s singing, might be the most ‘country’ tune, but also utilizes an ambient backdrop, and “Alien Nation” exits with plenty of alt-rock spirit you have to admire.
You might say that Sellers was born to play music. Her parents are Jason Sellers and Lee Ann Womack, and her stepfather is the producer Frank Liddell. All nepotism aside, her “garage country,” ’90s rock and shoegaze bouts see Sellers finding a really atypical and exiting place to reside. It’s almost as if she traded in her cowboy boots for a My Bloody Valentine record, and the upgrade sure is impressive.