English-American alt-rocker Barns Courtney has been barnstorming North America on his current Shoestring Tour. You might remember that we here at TGTF first encountered Courtney at SXSW 2016, where he blazed through a memorable set at the British Music Embassy and gave us this late night post-show interview. Earlier this month, Courtney bolstered the skyrocketing momentum he’s built since then with the release of a propulsive new single titled ‘Golden Dandelions’.

The song’s vigorous tempo and sweeping dynamic aren’t too far out of Courtney’s usual wheelhouse, but the addition of the piano adds a new depth to the musical arrangement. Immediately anticipatory and and anxiously energetic, the track centers around the chorus lyric “she said lay me down in golden dandelions / ‘cos I’ve been waiting for this moment all my life” and the enticing cliffhanger “follow me into the dark . . .” But the bridge section and third chorus constitute the real sweet spot of the song. It’s a brief moment, but its rhythmic sophistication and musical refinement are unexpected for the typically brash singer/songwriter, slowing things down for a brief but perfectly timed moment of dramatic tension and providing a glimpse of Courtney’s evolving musical refinement.

8.5/10

Click here to view the embedded video.

‘Golden Dandelions’ has apparently been a part of Courtney’s live set for a while, but it’s now an official single, released on radio as well as iTunes and Spotify. Though there isn’t yet a promo video for the track, you can watch a live performance video from American radio station The Current just below.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Barns Courtney will be on tour in North America through the beginning of August before he returns to the UK for appearances at Reading and Leeds Festivals. He has also scheduled two Scottish shows for this autumn, one at the Voodoo Rooms in Edinburgh on the 19th of September and one at Glasgow’s Hug and Pint the following night. You can find a full listing of Courtney’s upcoming live shows on his official Facebook. Our own past coverage of Barns Courtney is back this way.

The post Single Review: Barns Courtney – Golden Dandelions appeared first on There Goes The Fear, a UK/US/IE Music Web site.