Kimmi Bitter transports her listeners into a different time — whether it’s the hazy recreation of vintage West Coast pop or the golden future of classic country is yet to be decided.
The California-based singer-songwriter seems to operate somewhere in between, blending pedal steel-style guitar with surf rock harmonies and a dash of orchestral elegance. Bitter made a name for herself with her 2024 album, Old School, at the top of Americana and alt-country charts alike, in Billboard magazine, and as a three-time San Diego Music Award Winner. The August release of her second album, Bittersweet, offers a more dramatic exploration of the Countrypolitan genre in relation to romance.
The first track and single release, “Love Me or Leave Me Alone”, opens with a whimsical, descending string section performed by the Budapest Scoring String Ensemble that anchors this piece as it moves through different moods and dynamics. Bitter’s clever addition to the titular catchphrase gives her prosody some irony in its extension; she paints the interesting image of a jukebox crooner resigned to moving on and away from withheld affection. It’s mid-20th Century country sound very much harkens to a new age Patsy Cline or artist akin to, and we’re here for it.
Following the opener is “Return My Stolen Heart,” which offers a sonic shift with a mariachi-backed introduction, and features ear-catching instrumental riffs mirroring the melody. The singer begs her ex-lover to keep the trivial leftovers of their relationship if she could be the master of her own heart again – “give it back to me so I can make a brand new start” – until the mariachi band takes centerstage once more to close out her pleas with a satisfying, ascending outro.
Again appearing as a time traveling country songstress from days of yore, track three, “More, More, More”, is a twangy, guitar driven rockabilly about wanting just a little bit more from the one who loves the singer right. A standout feature of this song are the barbershop-style harmonies Bitter creates alongside bandmate Willis Farnsworth and guitarist Michael Gurley. The crystal clear production on all of these elements, and especially the soft upright bass, allows them to shine as a unit.
The sixth track, “Tremolo”, develops a visceral musical metaphor for pleasure with concise lyricism and addictive blues-inspired melodies. The tremolos on electric guitar are hypnotic and sultry, highlighted like a duet partner for Bitter’s velvety vocals. Perhaps the most atmospheric track of the album, this song shows the importance of a refined instrumental interlude in storytelling.
Bittersweet balances the wily wittiness and seductive self-possession of a woman navigating the peaks and valleys of love, all with a beautiful vintage country essence. It’s a powerful continuation of her signature style, bolstered by real musical growth and an evidently experimentational spirit.
Catch Kimmi Bitter and her touring band, the Westside Twang, live on tour this fall in country-wide locations.
Featured photo by Willis Farnsworth
