Western States (EP)
Artist: Matt Haeck
Label: Busted Ladder Music
Time: 7 Tracks / 25 mins

With only one full release behind him, Haeck already sounds utterly assured. Playing a broad range of Americana (mainly new country/folk, with a dash of pop/rock) he should appeal strongly to fans of Buddy Miller, Blue Rodeo and Wilco in equal measure.

He gained an ‘Honorable Mention’ for “Drug Like the Ocean” in last year’s Billboard World Song Contest, and it is well deserved, the piece having a simple poetry about it. But it is no less striking than the title track. Haeck is happy to leave you guessing why its lead character is escaping the law, but it doesn’t really matter, when there is such a tasty banjo and guitar riff (think Pops Staples playing country).

For those who prefer their country played with more of an E Street Band attitude, the enigmatically mythological “Black Crow” (the story of Icarus using birds) sits at the other end of the spectrum. Haeck’s guitar is dirty and distorted, and a piano’s chiming Christmas bells effect runs through the track, making it another piece that invades your head and refuses to leave.

On quieter tracks, Haeck’s playing is economical, and his lyrics even more so. He tells stories that draw you in, some instantly accessible and others needing a drip-like effect to make sense. He ends on an eschatological tone, about all being well at the new dawn, before playing out with a slightly spacey account of “Wayfaring Pilgrim”.

Apart from a couple of short blips, where he overstretches himself on loud bits, Haeck’s vocal is warm and easy on the ear. It may mean basic packaging, but his restraint in refusing to pad out these strong songs with weaker ones to make it into a full album is to be applauded. If you don’t buy the whole thing, the title track is a must-download. Watch out for him: Matt Haeck (pronounced Heck) should be around for quite a while.

Derek Walker