"The Dark Ages": Dewey Kincade shows remarkable artistry in the vivid new album.

Musical aspirations can appear as a glittering path for those seeking to make indelible impressions on larger audiences. Regretfully, such notions don't measure up to expectations once reality kicks in— this is what perhaps has utterly motivated Dewey Kincade for his album "The Dark Ages." A devout singer-songwriter, he is all too familiar with the untold costs of pursuing dreams, making use of the prudence accumulated over the years, trying to break through and set admirable precedents in a constantly shifting industry that ultimately can be unforgivably brutal to talented but struggling creatives.

In his younger days growing up in Louisville, Kentucky, Dewey was deeply infatuated with the folk and classic rock scene, something that would eventually drive him to pursue music full-time. In a career spanning decades, he has formed numerous musical outfits— prominent among such projects is his efforts with "The Navigators" since the 90s (who remain credited in several works published online, including this album). Constantly in flux with a revolving set of members, the band has gone through several drastic changes since its inception. After several attempts at landing a record deal, Dewey— now a father to a newborn daughter— moved back from the bustling Big Apple to his hometown to fulfill greater priorities. While seemingly a full circle moment, it's far from that as the troubadour now carries a trove of unreleased materials (being gradually uploaded) alongside nurturing a newfound motivation as an independent musician.

"The Dark Ages" strips any superfluous commercialness or ambitious flair and remains grounded and insightful. The songwriting holds personal narratives, reflecting candidly on human nature and society at large. A modest and varied set of alternative-rock, folk, and Americana songs is performed on this LP, made memorable by the presence of nuanced, outspoken lyricism and no-frills vocal delivery (coming as no surprise considering Dewey's admiration for Bob Dylan).

"Tied to the Rhythm" marks the onset— rather surprisingly, it is jovially tempered with funky aspects. Amidst the cheery composition— sprinkled with horns and wah-wah guitars, the vocalist embodies the frustration of a working man stuck in the non-stop grind dictated by the tedious, materialistic world. In a purgative state and numbed by such binding rules, "Down in the Valley Again" is unabashedly insurgent ('We're letting the beast out of its cage... so sharpen your blades, turn up your rage'), reinforced by biting guitars and the uptempo strut of the drums. 

The album is filled with noteworthy records: a mellow alt-rock composition and accentuated by pulsating electronic synths, "Borderlands" is an ode to romance in frantic times; "You Don't Know (What You Think You Know)" is a archetypal Americana rock tune with propulsive, melodic rhythms— as the vocals quips about life's struggle ("I don’t need a war, I don’t need to get rich//I just need a world where I can raise my kids"). Previously released "Shit Piles Up" also takes a similar high-spirited route in an angular classic rock act, juxtaposed with the dire if not hopeless situation described by the mirthful singing. 

A heartfelt rendition of the harmonica follows on the dejected "Pissed it All Away," an overdriven folk-rock tune set as a cautionary tale for running blindly towards quixotic ambitions. The closing portion of the album is equally momentous— on "Run Away and Hide," the singer croons with a certain fragility, perhaps wearied by the constant weight of trying to be conscientious. Lastly, "Up Around the Bend" maintains a lofty and elated cadence as the vocal preaches about not throwing in the towel just yet, for there's deserved rejuvenation awaiting after sheer perseverance despite all previous sufferings. 

Listen to "The Dark Ages" below on Spotify, and stay tuned with Dewey Kincade on his website and Instagram.