The new twelve track album from Kindred Found, “Fractured Hearts," is honest and full of emotion, written in a time of uncertainty, reflection, and personal struggle. The project is logged at Sidehouse Recordings on the Isle of Wight and after pandemic solitude, feels really real from the outset. There is a gritty soulful quality to the band, a blend of dirty blues, country rock, soulful harmonica, stinging slide guitar and a powerful rhythm section. The album carries on with tales of love, loss, longing, and perseverance that never feel forced. Instead, “Fractured Hearts” is all about raw human emotion, and it is this sincerity and weariness that helps us relate to its songs. The end result is an album that floats between grit and warmth, with the chemistry of a band comfortable in its own skin.
Standouts are “Drowning,” a song that shows the band can marry emotional vulnerability with lush musical textures. The mix is immersive, it draws you in to its atmosphere but with a very tight melodic focus. From there, “Bones” takes that energy and cranks it up a notch, with a more intense and commanding presence. Instrumentation and expressive performances drive the sound of the album, which is bluesy country rock capturing the raw spirit. Straight to the point, “One Night in Nashville (Is Not Enough)" has a dash of old school country storytelling and infectious charm. There is a restless, adventurous quality to the track, one of the standout moments on the album. Next up is the slightly more contemplative “Muse,” a little more patient in letting the emotional weight of the songwriting sink in. It has a contemplative mood that flows into the next phase of the album but also adds another layer to the emotional landscape of the project.
The momentum continues with “Gators Down in New Orleans,” a song with personality and a playful energy. The interplay of the voices gives the song its character, and the upbeat arrangement gives a sense of fun that nicely balances some of the more serious emotional themes from the album. Then there’s “Sad Old Country Boy," which is more introspective and leans into traditional country influences and heartfelt storytelling. The song is very engaging because there is a wise and introspective quality to the performance. “Should’a” by Rosie Sales adds another layer to the album, the chemistry of the collaboration that combines expressive vocals with an easily relatable emotional core. The album’s “Devil’s on the Highway” has a bit of grit and determination with strong rhythms and vivid imagery. In conclusion, “Someone That Isn’t You” is a perfect ending to the journey. Recorded in its entirety live, the band’s natural chemistry and emotional honesty shine through, leaving us with an impression of authenticity that lasts. Ultimately "Fractured Hearts" is a compelling album that turns personal hardship into music that’s real, relatable, and hugely rewarding.
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