Carolyn Shulman - Heart on a Wire (2024) Hi-Res

Denver-based folk and Americana songwriter Carolyn Shulman is set to release her highly anticipated second full-length album, Heart on a Wire, on September 20th, 2024. This new collection of ten original songs showcases Shulman's growth as an artist since her 2021 debut, Grenadine & Kerosene. The album delves into character-driven narratives, social issues, and deeply personal themes, offering listeners a richer, more nuanced sound.

The set is available Sept 20 & has material as pleasing as work by the likes of Joni Mitchell mixed with doses of Emmylou Harris & Beth Nielsen-Chapman. It’s a tightly constructed LP with every day occurrences (“All Burned Out” & “Call My Heart Home”) that incorporate feelings, reminisces & would resonate with listeners. It is not what many pop-singers release today with repetitive lyrics, cliches & predictable subjects.

“Old Farm House” is almost a modern-day Steinbeck tale of hard times but there’s optimism in the composition with touches of generous nostalgia. One would ask what if the Okies who had left their farms for California in the Depression-era 30s returned to their “old farm houses.” What would they find? Would it be depressing to find the dust, the grime & dilapidation in their old home or would it come as a sign of survival? Their past was still there…waiting for their return.

There are moments where Shulman is pop-oriented & humorous. She has a recognizable style but she’s also a hothouse of Americana roots rock. Incisive, colorful choruses & appetizing melodies. She may “sound” similar to those other fine artists but Carolyn mimics no one. There are songs where Carolyn’s diversity is on display — she leaves behind the light-heartiness & takes a deeper path with the beautifully poignant “Sunflower Seeds” & remarkably sensible “Eye To Eye.”

This is where brilliance shines in well-written songs & Carolyn Shulman shows an abundance of that sensibility.