Americana alt-country group, The Hello Darlins, are an exciting composite of some of Canada’s best session musicians.
Their new single, “Better Days,” dropped January 20th, and it promises to be the first of several emotionally charged tracks to come, as the band prepares to release their next album, Into the Sundust, in early 2023.
The single features country-soul artist Dave Fenley on lead vocals, who’s perhaps best known for his performance as a finalist on America’s Got Talent, and as a member of Blake Shelton’s team on NBC’s The Voice. Fenley brings to life this soulful ballad about finding hope in times of darkness.
Vulnerable lyrics like, “Thought a lot about giving / But underneath I feel like giving up,” are deeply enriched by beautifully blended background vocals and skillfully arranged instrumentals. These confessions of doubt are followed up with a gentle yearning of what’s to come in the hauntingly hopeful chorus: “But it’s moving slow like a river made of honey / I want to believe in better days.”
The group has been making waves in the roots and Americana scene since 2016, when its creative core of Candace Lacina and Mike Little reconnected after working together years prior.
In Lacina’s words, “Better Days” is about “trusting the sunlight will eventually return after the storm.”
It almost ends with a cliffhanger, as the last notes of music ring past Fenley’s passionate vocals, leaving us in eager anticipation of the better days ahead. The Hello Darlins tease that Into the Sundust will continue to capture this unique blend of country, gospel, and blues, and based on this single, it’s an exciting notion.
While some of the songs on Into the Stardust are reminiscent of the band’s renowned album, Go By Feel, others will add an edge to the band’s heartfelt and emotional sound.
