Dead Horses - “Birds Can Write the Chorus”

SXSW 2022 - OEB Score: 7; Popularity Index: 5

Pairs Well With…Courtney Marie Andrews, Shovels & Rope, Watchhouse

A decade in, Milwaukee duo Dead Horses have become masters of delicacy, most recently on 2020 EP Birds, a minimal collection of country folk that is heart-forward and traditionally rooted. The band’s acoustic musicianship stand out with understated grace, letting vocalist Sarah Vos weave wrenching melodies of nostalgic reflection sweetly and precisely. It’s a naturally big instrument, but Vos smartly focuses on texture over power to match the tenderness in the accompanying instrumentation. While a purposely simple proposition, Dead Horses’ less-is-more formula gives their songs proper time to breathe and allows the emotionality really come through. In terms of growth, Birds moves Dead Horses’ sound in a smaller space than some of their more bluegrass-inherited past records, an intimacy that makes it their strongest in an increasingly deep catalog. (Kevin McStravick)