Meanwhile In Music has never been shy about showing SUSTO some love, but what’s not to love? Justin Osborne remains one of our favorite voices in Americana-adjacent music – a songwriter capable of delivering personal and rich observations on life, loss, and redemption without ever losing sight of humor, humanity, or heart.
Released May 29th, SUSTO Stringband Volume Two arrived with the unenviable task of following one of our favorite releases of the past couple years. Thankfully, rather than trying to outdo its predecessor, Vol. Two expands the world that Osborne and company began building on the first installment, deepening the collection while maintaining everything that made it special.
Osborne writes with conviction. His songs arrive thoughtful and evocative – tackling heavy themes like suicide, substance abuse, grief, and quiet gestures of America’s failing healthcare system. Yet he’s equally capable of delivering something wildly entertaining. That’s the magic of SUSTO: profound reflection and genuine fun can coexist in the same breath. “E-350,” an anthem of sorts for touring musicians that depicts a grumpy landlord and his sewer line throwing shade on the beloved tour van.
Of course, none of this works without The Holler Choir String Band. Their musicianship serves as both engine and glue, carrying these stories effortlessly from one song to the next. The performances are loose where they should be, precise when they need to be, and consistently engaging throughout. This time around, the circle widens a bit with guest appearances from Joshua Hedley, Morgan Wade, and Madeline Dierauf.
SUSTO Stringband Vol. I set a remarkably high bar around these parts. Matching those expectations would have been an accomplishment on its own. Volume Two does more than that – it reinforces just how special this collection of musicians has become. Essential listening doesn’t have to be a classic, but these records have made their mark.
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