Artist:     Birds of Chicago

Album:     Love in Wartime

Label:     Signature Sounds

Release Date:     5.4.18

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It’s been just over two years since duo JT Nero and his wife Allison Russell, known as Birds of Chicago, released their genre-splitting album Real Midnight. As critics fell hard for their lyrics and overall musical abilities, finding the right words to describe Birds of Chicago’s sound was a bit difficult—in a good way.

See for yourself on their newest release, Love in Wartime. The album, recorded in Chicago and produced by Nero and Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars), is simple and familiar. The chemistry of this couple and their cohesiveness prove to be heartwarming, like an old friend coming back home. Both the intro “Now/Sunlight” and the titular track “Love in Wartime” channel decades that have passed by. Standouts include “Travelers”, “Roll Away”, and “Baton Rouge” with nostalgic lyrics that tell the sounds and stories reminiscent of songs in the late 60s and 70s.

Birds of Chicago consider themselves a rock and roll band above all else; this is certainly clear on the new album’s 11 tracks. Though not heavy on guitar riffs, you’ll still be humming the melodies from each song. The duo knows how to hit Americana lovers straight in the heart and provides a collection of songs that are fit for music lovers in general, no matter what they listen to on a regular basis.

—Brenda Hillegas