There’s no denying that Two Ways Home are unique.
The Anglo-Austrian five-piece have used their specific blend of folk rock and alternative country to craft themselves a special spot in the overcrowded folk music market, and we think that they’re richly deserving of their success. After the release of their well-received Wood For Trees EP, the multi-national group have unveiled their sophomore EP, Better Days, and we can’t get enough of it.
The four-track EP kicks off with melancholic folk-rocker (and EP highlight) Just For Now. Mixing infectious melodies with chugging guitars and deeply moving lyrics, the track manages to blend upbeat country music with troubling acoustic blues, and we think that it’s absolutely fantastic. The music video for the track – available to view on the band’s YouTube channel – is definitely worth checking out, too. It’s an incredibly fun and energetic video, and it shows off the truly character filled and bubbly nature of the band. The video also showcases some live footage from one of their recent gigs, and it really captures the essence of their live performances; there’s superb music, and it’s accompanied with exciting and energetic stagecraft.
The second track on the Better Days EP is the simply beautiful Still in Love. With soft, impeccable harmonies and wonderfully rock-infused guitar riffs from Lewis Fowler and Adam East, the track blends soft harmonies with truly gorgeous lyrics to give the listener a genuinely hypnotising musical experience. Not only does this work as a full-band track, but it’s also hugely effective as an acoustic track. Their stripped-back live version gifts us a more intimate look into the dynamics of the song and how incredible Still in Love is lyrically, and we think that we prefer it to the original.
The ironically homely Home Again is guaranteed to be stuck in your head after the first listen, while EP closer (and title track) Better Days combines stunning vocals with that wonderful chugging acoustic guitar that’s a hallmark of Two Ways Home’s unique country-rock sound.
Two Ways Home’s Better Days EP is most definitely the kind of record you know you’ll be eager to play again and again. The folk-rockers have created a stunning piece of art with their Better Days EP; we adore the clear country inspiration that run right through the heart of the record, and their songwriting talents clearly can’t be denied. We can’t wait to hear more from them.