Persistence is probably the best word to describe the sound that the latest release from Girl with a Hawk, keep ‘er lit, exemplifies as a whole. Like a musical map of 2023 filled with tales that detail easily some of Girl with a Hawk’s highest of high’s and lowest of lows since their inception, keep ‘er lit keeps it really real with five tracks of riotous dynamic Rawk that’ll sometimes make you feel good and sometimes make you feel bad but definitely make you feel something.
“The Romantic” comes at you as Linda Viens channels Chrissie Hynde for this timeless track that kicks off the EP with steady strums from Viens and Daniel Coughlin and the pairing of bassist Lee Harrington (For these recordings with Dan Bernfeld on stage and beyond) and drummer Nancy Delaney providing the robust rhythmic rumbles. We had previously chimed in with our take on recently released single “Feel Me” which highlights Richard Lamphear’s brilliant work on the keys and Viens’ voice serving as this sort of angelic guide that seemingly glues all the tracks on keep ‘er lit together despite the range of genres sampled and especially here as Girl with a Hawk pivot an already personal song into a fitting tribute to late friend and Red On Red Records founder, Justine Covault.
“The Ones” presents a tonal shift pondering what the result would be if Queens of the Stone Age ventured into the Country realm with a rollickin’ ditty that moves and grooves thanks to that Delaney and Harrington magic as Coughlin and Viens give listeners all the twang and Lamphear’s keys sound as if they were coming out of an old timey saloon, “Same Stars” spills out of “The Ones” with a mid-tempo number that righteously soars and then you can practically put a bow on top of “Good Enough” with the way it so perfectly wraps up keep ‘er lit with an inspiring anthem that showcases the entirety of the band as The Crow Follow Horns (John Keegan & Tim Sprague) accent the fun parting track with some brass facts.
keep ‘er lit releases on December 8th through Rum Bar Records with a release party scheduled for that night at The Burren Backroom in Somerville. For all the info on everything Girl with a Hawk, head here.