Chris Pellnat’s new EP, Reign Down melds rootsy folk with inventive art-rock, thematically exploring love’s discovery, absence, and rejection. The six-song collection balances topical despair with an underlying, determined hope across a cohesive thematic arc. The release captures a personal two-year journey from modern dread and anger toward optimism that evil will be overcome.
The first two tracks of Reign Down establish a powerful thematic pursuit, capturing the role of affection as it’s both discovered and becoming a source for yearning. “Chasing Love” pairs jangling slide guitar flourishes and subtle accordion with profound wisdom: “You can put your faith in what you see / And in this world is where you’ll be.” It frames unconditional love in a positive light, while also shifting from a restless search into cathartic emotional fulfillment. There’s a familiar, throwback aesthetic in both the guitar work and song structure, preferring that steadiness over creative unconventionality, though it results in a very impactful songwriting output nonetheless.
That need for purpose deepens on the title track, highlighting a double meaning — both as a plea to be showered in the cleansing rain of love, while simultaneously yearning for its reign over a hostile world. A mixture of foreboding guitar distortion, vibraphone, and organ make for a chilling, stylish art-rock sound. Where the opener celebrates the peace of a love found, this ensuing piece portrays a thirst for it to arrive. “Reign it down on me,” the stylish chorus beckons, referencing passion as a guiding light: “We need torrential reign of love, that’s all.”
Another memorable track, “Banished” traverses further into the experience of love, here conveying the heartbreak of rejection. “First you welcomed me in / Then you said there’s no room for me anymore,” Pellnat’s vocals let out, bolstered by Pete Toigo’s upright bass and Bobby Sabella’s drums, while mellow keys and accordion emit a hypnotic allure. Continued perspectives of life’s ebbs and flows show on “Soft Landing,” a rousing rocker that cautions “there’s no soft landing” in the context of life — feeling motivational in its lyrical pursuits to keep moving forward. The twangy guitars and reverbed vocals in the “so fly” sequence is especially consuming. Reign Down is a thoroughly enveloping EP from Chris Pellnat, melding stirring folk and rock productions with engaging lyrical perspectives on love, life, and overcoming hardship.
