We’ve been working on this newsletter for the past few weeks (can you believe a little message like this takes weeks?). But every time we’ve gone to send it to you, something bizarre, or frankly upsetting, has happened in the world, and we’ve thought, 

Well, we’ve realized that if we keep holding on for the right moment — or even (dare we say it?) for things to get better — we’ll be waiting forever. Just know, wherever you are, and whatever is going on for you right now, our hearts are with you. Hope you’re doing ok.

The real point of this newsletter is that 

, the debut album from Annie & the Caldwells, has been released, and given the dark times we’re in, it’s starting to feel like the right album — soulful, uplifting — to help us see it through. Maybe if you have time to listen, it will feel like that for you, too.

Since its release, the album has been getting lots of glowing reviews — and in many different languages. But there’s been one review in particular that has stood out: The one from Alexis Petridis in 

). Sometimes, when we put out a record, there’s a writer who steps forward and leaves us kind of blown away by how deeply they understand the band, the music, the project. That’s what happened with Alexis, who seemed to feel this in his bones:

These are great, powerful, moving songs, made all the more potent by the fact that they’re recorded live, without an audience, in a church in the band’s hometown of West Point, Mississippi. The plain production makes Can’t Lose My (Soul) feel as if it’s happening before your eyes, adding a vividness and urgency, particularly in extempore moments. Mercifully, it steers clear of the kind of faux-antiquing that’s often applied to 21st-century soul music rooted in the past, as if trying to convince you that you’re listening to a long-lost album.

The lyrics steer clear of the hellfire and brimstone sermonising to which southern gospel can be prone: they never stint on describing hard times – bereavement, grief, a miraculous escape from a house fire (“God spoke to death, he told death: behave!”) – but their message is ultimately one of hope. You don’t need to share the Caldwells’ faith to find something powerful and inspiring in that, particularly given the current climate, which can easily incline you towards hopelessness; something steeped in tradition seems apropos right now. You should listen to Can’t Lose My (Soul) purely on musical terms. Moreover, it’s an album you might need.

 — about weathering the ups and downs of life and coming out the other side. We filmed this video during the two-day recording session where we made the album. It will give you an idea of what it was like in that room — and what it’s like to be in the family: 

I Made It

If you’ve been reading our newsletters religiously, then you already know the family has a lot going on the next couple of months. Catch them as they take on the world:

 (w/ Nicky Siano, Justin Strauss & Lovie)

 (w/ Moor Mother, Gabriels DJ set, KCRW & and more to be announced! )

Bannau Brycheiniog: August 15 – Green Man Fest

P.S. Did you ever wish you got in on something really early? Well, as it happens, the family only has four (4) followers on Tiktok (and 3 of them are the people who work here!). Our friend Riker told us, “try to ask people to follow them,” which was such a great idea (thanks Rikey!). 

? Or 6?? Now’s your chance… tik tok tik tok.

Riker didn’t say anything about Instagram, but 

P.P.S. That glowing photo of Annie in her store was taken by the illustrious Carl Martin.

Great, powerful, moving songs, in times we need them most