SINGLE REVIEW: ALYSSA FLAHERTY - KNOW YOU BY HEART

As Country Calling draws ever nearer, one of the names that leaps most off the poster to us is Alyssa Flaherty. Having followed her since her debut single and having had the pleasure of seeing her live, #TEAMw21 cannot wait to meet up once again.

In the meantime, and acting as a kind of Country music methadone until we reach August is the new single by Alyssa - "Know You By Heart". Written with Michael August and Nicola Croteau, this song has a richness in lyrics and sound that you might expect from a Grand Old Opry veteran, let alone one as young as Alyssa. The title is perhaps a little misleading and those joining for a cheery uplifting song may wish to move along, however those with an eye for incise observation, and an ear for a great tune and voice will find much to ponder in this release.

The first verse mainly delivered to just an acoustic guitar, is very much scene setting, establishing the relationship that we are going to hear more about as the song progresses. The little intricacies that couples have between them are perfectly laid out. the key indication that something is not right comes with the observation that everything is in the past tense.

"I knew you by wintergreen, back pocket of your jeans

Knew every word to track 15, George Strait’s “C’mon Joe”

And by that need you look, that we both understood

At a party or a bar, you’d get the car and take me home

I used to know you by heart

And baby that’s why it’s so damn hard"

The chorus is the cue for the arrival of percussion a sumptuously warm organ sound and guitars gently generating the backing over which Alyssa will pour out her heart. The first and fourth lines really put the emphasis on the final words, while the the lines in between have a beautiful pace and internal rhythm that is impossible to resist. The final line is the only that is effectively standalone and has a marvellously extended - "Heartbreak" from Alyssa. As a construction it is absolutely perfect in terms of creation and execution.

"To know you by heartbreak, heartache

Crying mascara on my pillowcase

Missing you kissing me’s a tendency I can’t shake

Now I know you by mistakes, and too lates

And wishing I was dreaming but I’m wide awakes

Laying here hating that you can make me feel this way

Now I know you by heartbreak"

The second verse snaps us back into the harsh reality of the present, the warmth of the opening verse is replaced with a coldness. The only possession left behind is "beat up" - no longer wanted, the added detail about the hat though give the song a verisimilitude that a lesser description would not have.

"Now I know you by that empty drawer

That you don’t need no more And that beat up

Yankees hat that you left hanging by the door

And by those stone cold sheets, no they don’t reach for me

Now I’m tangled up in how it was and how it’s gonna be"

There's a subtle pedal steel solo before a further assault on the chorus, the final line, the extended "Know You By Heartbreak" is repeated, the final time with Alyssa singing the line about "Mistakes and too lates" underneath it. As singles go it is pretty much perfection

Alyssa Flaherty will be making her UK debut in a stellar line up at Country Calling https://www.country-calling.com/