Mandolin Orange - Blindfaller (2016)

Formed in 2009 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina around the talents of singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Andrew Marlin and violinist/guitarist Emily Frantz, Mandolin Orange draw from wells both old and new, offering up a heady mix of bluegrass, gospel, folk, country, and pop that invokes the earthy timelessness (and effortless harmonies) of Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, the sweet unpredictability of Nickel Creek, and the rich, gothic Americana of the Civil Wars. Partners in music and life, the pair released their self-produced debut, Quiet Little Rooms, through CD Baby in 2010, followed by the ambitious double album Haste Make/Hard Hearted Stranger in 2011. The duo inked a deal with Yep Roc for their third long-player, 2013's This Side of Jordan. For album number four, 2016's Blindfaller, Mandolin Orange expanded to a six-piece, with Marlin and Frantz joined in the studio by Josh Oliver on keyboards and guitar, Allyn Love on pedal steel, Clint Mullican on bass, and Kyle Keegan on drums. ~ James Christopher Monger.