EP Review: Troy Cartwright 'Don't Fade'

Nashville by way of Dallas singer-songwriter Troy Cartwright’s 2015 full-length,  Long Flight Home, introduced listeners to a young artist who had a firm grasp on conveying stories that moved and resonated. Cartwright continues to tap into his rich songwriting well for five emotional and relatable tracks on his latest EP, Don’t Fade. Produced by Rob Baird and Brian Douglas Phillips at Phillip’s Austin Rattle Trap Studio, the cohesive collection finds Cartwright’s writing sharpened  and matured; detailing relationships in well-crafted tunes that are accented with memorable grooves and brought to life by  Cartwright's seasoned vocals.
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Don’t Fade opens with “Never Coming Back” which with its organ-fueled, bluesy vibe mixes anger, frustration and brutal honesty into the eventual demise of a relationship, “I used to adore you, but lately all you do is piss me off.”  That’s followed by four more tracks, all written or co-written by Cartwright, including current single “Busted,” as well as “Nobody But You” which accesses the painful hope that remains after being left behind by the one you love, and the wistful title track which struggles with keeping memories and moments alive. The album closes with standout “Arkansas,” a beautifully affecting acoustic track where the softness, honesty and longing in Cartwright’s vocals leaves you reflective...and touched.

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