Dan’s DJ Pick of the Week is “Empty Trainload of Sky” by Gillian Welch & David Rawlings.
Providing us with mystical Americana-folk since 1996, Welch & Rawlings have proved to be beyond adept musicians. This single comes ahead of a 10th studio album, Woodland, via their label Acony Records. Recorded at their own Woodland Studios in Nashville, the project is the first original material from the pair in seven years, and the first released since 2020.
Praised for their contributions to acoustical music, Welch & Rawlings touch on vulnerable subjects such as addiction, death, and revenge. However, the composition of their music is much less somber. With bright harmonicas and melodic guitars, they are an ode to an emotional cowboy.
“Empty Trainload of Sky” confronts the feeling of desolation head-on. The track is an introspective narration painting a barren land. Welch’s enchantingly eerie vocals play over haunting guitars. Yet, the chugging rhythm has kept the track out of ballad territory. Offering complex and rich lyrics and instrumentals, Welch & Rawlings have proved their mastery yet again.
Get tickets for Gillian Welch & David Rawlings for their North America tour here!
And, listen to “Empty Trainload of Sky” below!
