Barton Hollow (Sony)

Upon first listening, you would be forgiven for thinking that Joy Williams and John Paul White are a couple. The harmonies intertwine beautifully as they trace each other’s melodies with the kind of familiarity usually reserved for lovers. Barton Hollow, the studio debut album of Nashville-based duo The Civil Wars is an aching and often bewitching tribute to the joys and heartaches of long-term relationships. The minimalist arrangements allow the pairs vocals to become the focal point of the album, and on tracks like Poison and Wine, it is arguably their best instrument. Barton Hollow is a sparse, haunting and perfectly fragile folk album.

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Jade Lane