Album Review: Australian country music at its peak

LIFE MUSIC MEDIA This is the follow-up to the 2022 cracker of Wanted, which I regarded as one of the best Australian releases of that year, and moving on from the spaghetti western days, this release mixes up a big pot of rugged outlaw tales from the whisky-running hoods in the hills, through a brilliant set of modern country tracks seasoned with a true commercial southern rock and commercial radio-friendly sound.

Moonshine was produced by songwriters and producers Brian White, who has earned sixteen #1 songs, two Dove Awards for Song of the Year, and the recent #1 “Blame It On You” (Jason Aldean), and Grammy-nominated songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Brian Bunn, whose songs have been recorded by Lee Brice, Jackson Dean, Chase Matthew, Parmalee, and more.

The lead vocals on the record really elevate Jayne to the highest levels of female country music artists, not just in Australia, but alongside the likes of Miranda Lambert, Ashley McBryde, Shania Twain and Carrie Underwood...

The album opens with a short refrain of guitar and violin over a barroom hubbub, with some evocative vocals, and this rips right into the title track, released in 2023 and featuring Colt Ford with his distinctive vocals.  Moonshine is a foot-stomping number, with some tricky banjo picking over a pounding drum-beat which is guaranteed to get the audience jumping, and will no doubt have a harder edge live.  Colt Ford provides the spoken-word middle-section and some gruff backing vocals, while Jayne’s clean pure vocals soar over the melodies.

There is not a single filler on this record, and Jayne’s lead vocals are a real standout – showing development and growth from the Wanted album, and if she can translate this impressive studio work into an equally solid live set, she should be able to command much larger venues, and get herself on some international tour supports, to get her the additional exposure she clearly deserves.

Read the full album review by Peter Coates on LIFE MUSIC MEDIA where you can also find a review of the RISK IT ALL album launch party.