EP Review: Drew Kohl 'New Rain'

-Tara

Nashville’s Drew Kohl returns in fine form with New Rain a stellar short collection of folk-inspired heartbreak. Released on October 20th the five-track project, all penned by Kohl, begins with the subdued mandolin of “Who’s Gonna Take You Home” a shuffler filled with heartache, “Drive downtown while the streetlights spark/Just like shooting stars/Maybe there’s one you can wish upon/To find an ending to this fading love song.” Kohl follows that with “I’ll Go Mine,” a tune whose vibrant melody balances the resignation of a relationship gone wrong and the ballad “New Rain” which uses metaphors to convey his desire to wash away an old love and start over. Kohl’s melancholy vocals relate a palpable loneliness as he ponders the reasons a relationship fell apart on “Like You Used To” - “Maybe I just wasn’t good enough/Maybe you just wanted too much/Maybe you’re trading the old for the new/But you don’t love me like you used to”  - before concluding with the gentle, harmonica-laden “I’m Gonna Try” where he acknowledges forgiveness is out of reach, but for one night he’s going to make it a point to get her off his mind. Although Kohl’s songs mine an incredibly broken heart, their wholly relatable lyrics and appealing melodies may just end up putting a smile on your face.

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