SINGLE REVIEW: MY GIRL THE RIVER - UP THE MOUNTAIN

2026 seems to be becoming an exemplary year for the classic pop country single, and with My Girl The River's "Up The Mountain", you can chalk up another one. It comes with an outstanding cover photo but most of all outstanding musicality.

From that opening sumptuous opening lead slide guitar intro you are in for four minutes of absolute delight. Lyrically the mountain represents a target or goal, with the journey to it, effectively being the climb.

"The weather's turning, feeling colder

Not sure if I'm prepared

Daylight fading, no more waiting

Whisper a message into the air"

Kris Wilkinson Hughes lead vocals on this opening verse have a certain touch of trepidation about them, the sort of concerns that come at the start of a big project.

The chorus raises the game somewhat, with the full band upping their volume, assisted by a keyboard sound that will become more prominent throughout. Each chorus is lyrically slightly different, the opening one very much the start of the adventure, progress is slow, the end target seemingly unobtainable - out of reach.

"Up the mountain

Moving so slow

I can't see beyond the clouds

Up the mountain

One step at a time

Getting higher I can feel you now"

Second time round the journey is getting easier, the end is at least visible, there's almost a little vocal spring in the step as Kris declares "I've got nothing to hide"

"Up the mountain

Moving faster

I can see the top through the clouds

Up the mountain

I've got nothing to hide

Getting closer can you see me now"

The final verse, is a celebration, the exhilaration of success, of something achieved. The piano almost skips with delight as the fingers bounce across the keys.

"At the top, the sun is rising

Feels just like a morning prayer

I can't explain what I'm feeling

Sending love into the air"

The final chorus exudes the confidence of someone who has succeeded and is ready to face whatever is the next challenge waiting to be faced.

"Another mountain

Stands before me

I can see it beyond the clouds

When I get down

I will start again

And I will carry you with me now"

It all pulls together to make a cracking little single, the third one from the forthcoming album "Manifest Good Things" due in September.