HUDSON VALLEY

                                                 "Ain't The Gun"

                                                 Independent Release

Hudson Valley has made quite the strong name for themselves on Lower Broadway in Nashville, becoming one of Music City’s must-see acts on the stage at the hottest venue in town – Ole Red! Their high energy performances not only pack the venue, but also keep everyone’s boot heels clickin’ as they satisfy 90’s country requests and skillfully slide in originals to keep you focused on who they are as a band.

Led by dynamic frontwoman Sarah Owens, the group’s resume has already seen them charting high with their single “Right Place Now,” and igniting their rabid fan base with a stellar cover of Old Dominion’s “Shut Me Up,” which allowed the group to fluidly smash their modern edged country inspirations into their pop punk influences through one explosive package.

They now return with “Ain’t The Gun,” their first new music since delivering an acoustic version of their fan-favorite “Run Mascara Run.”

The darker toned, murderous lyric leans into an alternative rock fueled chop through the crunch of the guitars that really allows Owens to punch her voice so that she nails the bold message in the exact way that it needs to be popped.

Setting the entire tone of the song, the opening verse takes us straight to the aftermath of the abusive scene as mama walks in the house - not for the first time - looking down while wearing sunglasses and long sleeves to cover her bruises, igniting Owens (in the daughter role) to take matters into her own hands.

With justified revenge swirling around the angry hit within her voice, the group smashes both elements into the fury of the instrumentation to match the frantic heartbeat as we’re punched into the chorus at the very moment that he (the abuser) walks in the front door:

“Then the light flips, sweat drips

Door swings, shot rings

There ain’t no turning back after blood spills

That’s the last time she’ll cry

Mama’s been through hell, and we all know why

She’s told me all my life and I’ll say it still

It ain’t the gun that kills.”

After admitting that she did what she had to do, Hudson Valley then cranks the guitar shreds through the bridge so that when they hit the up down power into the final chorus, you immediately pump your fist in rhythm with the eye for an eye anthem.

Country music has certainly seen its fair share of a similar topic, but what Hudson Valley does so right with “Ain’t The Gun” is to present an intriguing angle in that the one getting revenge isn’t being abused, but is having to watch it happen and is tired of it. That unique take couples with perfect instrumentation that surrounds Owens spite-fueled voice, helping to elevate each line while placing a spotlight on why they are one of the emerging acts to continue keeping an eye on.

(Review Written By: Jeffrey Kurtis)

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