LeBarons – Running River (2026)
Always having time for anything with the slightest hint of country, when the new single from Canadian band LeBarons dropped in my inbox, I wasn’t going to pass up an opportunity to expand my country music palette. With ‘Running River’, this sextet has done just that.
This has all the hallmarks of your classic country track. A steady, hypnotic drumbeat allows the commanding guitar riff to captivate the listener even before the twin vocals of Christ MacDonald and Megan Tilston have a chance to join the party. When they do, it simply elevates the track further. I’ve only heard a handful of duos complement each other as much as these two, to the point I struggle to imagine either working alone.
Lyrically, I loved the yearning of MacDonald for the future, whatever that might hold, but always holding hope, which is something I feel we can all relate to. Being able to give rise to this feeling in the listener and make them relate so heavily to the song the way that they’ve done with me is testament to some great songwriting, and being able to bring an idea to life in this way is something many struggle with. On top of all this, they have somehow been able to wrap all this up in a catchy, hook-laden package. Even from my first listen, I found myself singing along as the track faded out and just wanting to restart it straight away.
‘Running River’ really does tick all the boxes, musically, lyrically and even down to its production. Being produced by LeBarons’ very own bassist, John Dinsmore, really was the final piece of the puzzle because only someone so close to the music could create a final product that clearly embodies the whole essence of this great band.
If any of you are familiar with my articles, you know I like to delve into an act’s past. With two records under their belt, LeBarons had plenty to explore, and I couldn’t be happier. Listening to both 2023’s Days Are Mountains and 2018’s Summer of Death just reinforces my opinion that this is clearly an experienced outfit who have so much more to offer, which I’m totally here for.
Find out more about LeBarons on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, Bandcamp and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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