Orville Peck – Bronco (Released April 2022)
Reviewed by: suzi boneshaker
Country rock, Indie rock, outlaw country, country, alt-country with elements of psych rock, bluegrass, crooning vocalist, rockabilly

This is Orville Peck’s second full length studio album on Sub Pop. The fashionable, openly gay masked crooner/songwriter is back to serenade and seduce us with his incredibly rich voice and style. He sings it soft, then he sings it loud, and he just makes you feel that you are the most important thing to him. Swoon.

RIYL: Roy Orbison, Lee Hazelwood, Tom Petty, Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Whitney Houston
Try: 1, 2, 5, 7, 12, 13, 15 No FCC’s detected

1. Daytona Sand 3:15 – mid tempo tune. A bit wistful with no regrets feeling conveyed about the end of a relationship. My favorite on the album.
2. The Curse of the Blackened Eye 4:10 – ballad about depression and loneliness that showcases Orville’s vocal range.
3. Outta Time 4:18 – mid tempo, a bit twangy, but in a good way.
4. Lafayette 3:02 – pop-ish tune with strumming guitars about a lonesome cowboy
5. C’mon Baby, Cry 3:30 – playful, catchy country/pop song. Orville practically begs you to sing along.
6. Iris Rose 2:48 – slightly twangy ballad accompanied by a trumpet which works surprisingly well together
7. Kalahari Down 4:49 – this ballad opens with a wistful harmonica and includes sweeping strings and memories from Orville’s childhood. It’s pretty.
8. Bronco 3:28 – toe tapping Orville style (this one is 60% country/ 40% rocker)
9. Trample Out The Days 3:48 – stripped down ballad (until the chorus) with finger snaps
10. Blush 3:36 – it’s a head bopper, romantic queer antic pop song laced with some twang
11. Hexie Mountains 3:11 – lovely, thoughtful slow acoustic tune a la John Denver that includes the banjo
12. Let Me Drown 3:19 – a piano, strings, and Orville ballad, here he brings it home. The end is a nod to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers “I Won’t Back Down”.
13. Any Turn 2:16 – this one is a fast paced, fun rocker that will leave you wanting more rock!
14. City of Gold 4:04 – somber pretty ballad
15. All I Can say 3:56 – slow dance ballad. Duet with band member Bria Salmena, paints a starry night with a touch of Mazzy Star