The Bird and the Rifle

Lori McKenna puts a magnifying glass on un-championed lives. She doesn't just notice the quiet and ordinary, she delights in it - effortlessly transforming the average to extraordinary. The result is over a decade worth of songs filled with honest stories and melodic depth, and her latest release is no exception. Produced by Dave Cobb, McKenna's tenth studio album, The Bird & The Rifle revels in the routines and events that may seem mundane but are the most important, transcendent moments of our lives. The Bird & The Rifle proves that the worlds of Cobb and McKenna were meant to overlap. The Grammy-winning producer behind albums from Jason Isbell, Sturgill Simpson, Chris Stapleton, and more, Cobb has emerged as a modern master of capturing the grizzled beauty in imperfection. "This record was made in a way that's very different from anything else I've ever done," says McKenna. "It's very much me - this record and the songs. But it's like I took the 10 songs and just got in someone else's car and took a ride down the coast. I completely plugged into the world of Dave Cobb." Recorded live, the album invites close listening, achieving an intimacy that is comfortable but precise. Pared-down instrumentation including rolling guitar, blood-pumping bass, and soothing percussion creates room for McKenna's lyrics and vocals to soar. Her voice cuts through not by overpowering, but with stark gentleness.