by Jakob Sheppard
Kris Ulrich’s 2023 album Big in the USA was a pleasant listen from start to finish. It blends classical folk and country elements with modern bedroom pop.
The opener, “Friends On The Internet,” is a perfect start. Ulrich sings about falling in love with a stranger, complimented by an incredibly catchy guitar hook.
The country sound of this album is incredibly warm sounding. The production here is just fantastic, which is a big factor when it comes to my enjoyment of an album.
The title track is another stand-out for me. The lyrics are extremely thoughtful and well-written. Another thing that I want to point out is the flow of the vocals on this song and the whole album in general. It really adds to the emotional impact of the album.
“Lucky” has a hard-hitting instrumental buildup with a heavy-hitting acoustic guitar, followed by a lower, more mellow moment in “Things Are Changing,” which is my favourite track on the album.
Overall, this album does an excellent job of transitioning from a more upbeat, optimistic sound to a more laid-back, melancholy one. For me, the songs just get better and better as time goes on. This project is a prime example of good track flow when it comes to records, and I really enjoyed my time with it.
Great review. Well written!!
Very good review and I agree Chris Sheppard very well written for sure!