Music Review: The Hanging Stars, ‘On a Golden Shore’
On their gentle fifth album, the UK band immerses you sonically in love and heartbreak.
The Hanging Stars’ On a Golden Shore album artwork.
The sunset on the cover of London-based Americana group the Hanging Stars’ new record On a Golden Shore is an almost perfect hint of what you’re in for: a solid foundation in calm instrumentation at times reminiscent of the Eagles.
The opener “Let Me Dream of You” immediately put me in a relaxed state without making me want to doze off, which can be a tough line to walk with music that has an overall gentle vibe. Its steady, nonchalant electric guitar intro and drums set the tone for a pulse-steadying experience.
The track also introduces the Eagles-like harmonies that quickly became one of my favorite parts of this record, adding a just-right layer of fullness that engulfed me even more in the band’s spell. Songs such as the slightly more energetic and confident “Sweet Light” and an instrumentally adventurous “Happiness is a Bird” are boosted by the band’s collective vocals. Each dose of harmonies is like a happy—and healthy—hit of dopamine.
On a Golden Shore is a record that reveals more instrumental nuances with each listen as long as you’re willing to pay attention. “Disbelieving” contains one of several pedal steel highlights that effortlessly fit into the band’s lazy-Sunday sound and prove that few instruments can rival its ability to drive that heartbreak feeling home—its only competition may be the blues guitar. The song the album takes its title from, “Golden Shore,” sounds like an outlier with its flute intro, which makes it feel like the quiet dawning of a new day.
The Hanging Stars. Photo credit: Julian Hand.
The album’s relaxing atmosphere starts winding down with a song about a newly heartbroken wanderer, “Raindrop in a Hurricane.” The minimal production showcases one of the strongest vocal performances on the record from lead singer Richard Olson.
The album finishes with its own version of an epic finale on “Heart in a Box.” The better-with-you love song stays in the same calm dream state as most of the others but adds atmospheric elements that make you feel like the moon has replaced the sun—distant-sounding trumpet, immersive guitar and, of course, those harmonies. I can see the band closing their shows with this song under the stars.
As I write this review I know there’s much more to discover. And I think that’s what I enjoy most about this record—it’s going to keep me coming back. This is music for those who want to turn everything off and be immersed. If you end up surrendering to your own dreams, that’s okay. Just press play again.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Andy Ellis.
Andy Ellis has been spotlighting indie music for over 10 years and is always looking for that next great band. When he’s not listening to music he’s reading, writing, and listening to podcasts about it. He also hosts the Melodic Noise Insider podcast covering Minnesota’s expansive music scene."
