Singer-songwriter Maggie Rose has been a fixture of the Nashville community since she released her first album, ‘Cut To Impress’ back in 2013, with over 100 Grand Ole Opry appearances under her belt alongside recently being elected Governor of the Recording Academy’s Nashville Chapter. Since then she’s released a further two albums – most recently 2021’s ‘Have A Seat’ – and won critical acclaim for her blend of country, rock, soul, Americana, folk and funk. Now she’s back with her latest album, ‘No One Gets Out Alive’, her first release since moving to Big Loud.
The 12-track project opens with the title song, beginning as a simple piano melody alongside Rose’s slightly husky, soulful vocals before building into layers of sweeping strings and a big soaring chorus. There’s almost a gospel element to it as Rose sings about celebrating the small joys in life, alongside a huge array of instruments from brass to electronic synths, and it feels very much like a declaration of intent for the rest of the album.
One thing which particularly stood out to me is how much Rose draws on the sounds of years gone by. The pulsing, piano-led ‘Fake Flowers’ had a foreboding quality about it that balanced her delicate vocals and defiant lyrics in a way that wouldn’t have sounded out of place on an Amy Winehouse record, ‘Under The Sun’ paired a light, doo-wop-style whistling melody with a resigned narrative of letting go of a failing relationship, and ‘Dead Weight’ echoed back to the likes of Fleetwood Mac with its high energy, driving piano riff and empowering kiss-off message. Elsewhere, ‘Too Young’ had a nostalgic, hopeful feel to it as Rose sang about it never being too late to go out after your dreams, whilst ‘Vanish’ showed off the depth of her vocals amid the confusion of a breakup and the atmospheric ‘Lonely War’ paired brilliantly vivid imagery of rebellion with some huge notes from Rose and a determination to keep going, alongside a long strings-heavy outro that felt oddly romantic in its way.
For me many of the highlights came midway through the album. ‘Thinking Of You’, with its smart lyrical twist, had a melody that put me in mind of classic Elton John and a message of escaping from a breakup through the life of a musician on the road. It’s a quietly powerful number and despite the heartache the fondness Rose still holds for her lover comes through in every line. I also loved the one-two punch of the cinematic ‘Mad Love’ – a dark, weighty tale of a toxic relationship set to a classic Western melody, and with possibly my favourite line of the whole record (‘you kiss like Friday in your Sunday best’) – and the 70s funk of ‘Underestimate Me’, which swaggered like a boxer with its punchy drums and quick delivery from Rose.
The project closes with ‘Another Sad Song’, a stripped-back piano number that puts the emphasis on Rose’s vocals and sees her fully leaning into her sorrow as she struggles to write a happy tune. As she reflects on how her approach to her music may impact her career, she also chooses to embrace the importance of being honest, authentic and true to herself. It feels like a real full circle moment from the start of the record and there’s a knowingness and sense of being comfortable with herself that absolutely shines through – not just on this song but on this entire body of work.
Overall ‘No One Gets Out Alive’ is an album that highlights Rose’s growth as an artist alongside her security in knowing who she is and a steadfast hopefulness that no matter how dark things may seem, there is light at the end of the tunnel. It’s a record I can see working as well on Sunday mornings as at festival sundowns, with the timeless quality of the music beautifully complemented by her rich vocals, and should win over new fans as well as old with its eclectic feel. If this is where her new musical journey is taking her, then personally I can’t wait to join her on the ride.
Track listing: 1. No One Gets Out Alive 2. Fake Flowers 3. Under The Sun 4. Only Time Around 5. Thinking Of You 6. Too Young 7. Mad Love 8. Underestimate Me 9. Dead Weight 10. Vanish 11. Lonely War 12. Another Sad Song Record label: Big Loud Records Release date: 5th April 2024
