South Wales folk-rock band Rusty Shackle bring over a decade of touring and five studio albums to Mayfield, a release that continues their blend of folk-rooted songwriting with a harder rock edge. Following the chart success of 2022’s Under a Bloodshot Moon and their recognition as Wales’ Folk Favourites at the 2023 Wales Folk Awards, the band channel that experience into a collection built around storytelling, strong melodies, and the energy that has defined their live shows.
A meditative prologue, ruminating on time and how moments can sneak up on us, casts a calming glow as the album gets underway. The reverence for time as it stands, and memories that inhabit our minds, soothes through its appreciation of existence and cherished memories. Ensuing track “Swandive” then launches into an exhilarating rock sound, tonally flipping the tables to a “shadows kiss the crows today / a wicked world, a newborn snake” lyrical venom and anthemic rock spirit. “Swandive down with me,” the lead performance beckons with soaring entrancement, presenting a fierce cohesion of rock and folk that leaves a strong emotional imprint, especially as second-half synths wander to frolicking guitars.
Another standout track, “Riders of the Purple Sage” again casts a mystique-filled spell in its hard-rocking folk output. The “rising to meet their own fates” sense of looming confrontation lends a cinematic tilt as heartfelt strings prevail through the sturdy guitar tones and stirring lead delivery. A second-half rock rousing is especially alluring, while the subsequent “Stand Up Tall” encourages not to “look down” and keep pushing forward, striving to “stand up tall.” Its life-introspective spiritedness is stellar, as are the depictions of personal strife in the stylish “Unshakeable.” Filled with resonant songwriting, Mayfield is an excellent, inspiring folk-rock success of an album from Rusty Shackle.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
