Nostalgic and distinctly western in style and emotion, Hillsborough’s epic folk rock and Americana odyssey of a record on ‘Coming Back For You’ is pure bliss to any guitar listener. Filled with sprawling and jangling acoustic chords alongside that heartland gritty vocal harmonies, this Brisbane based outfit keep you constantly engaged and in a good mood from back to front. With an opener as easily addictive and entertaining as ‘Trouble Finds Its Way’, it’s hard to not start enjoying yourself as you start playing through this album. No single song feels like a dull moment, consistently delivering quality piece s of guitar driven music that just evoke a sense of grounded storytelling and emotive excellence.
The result of many a year spent travelling and performing at a multitude live music venues around the globe, Phil Usher and Beata Maglai have had the privilege and opportunity of sharing the stage with a myriad of artists that cross a whole spectrum. Naming the outfit as a tribute to the region wherein Phil’s family has resided for over a century now, there’s a clear sense of appreciation and love for a culture and spirit that Western Queensland brings out on this album.
The album’s titular song is a definitive highlight, an upbeat and bouncy piece of country music that’s loaded with energy. But, even on the more mellow and slower pieces like ‘Exit Wounds’, Hillsborough don’t lose a beat or step, perhaps even finding better footing with the more ballad tunes. There isn’t anything particularly over complex or intricate happening here, simply just excellent guitar work, ever so evocative harmonies, and stories that are captivating to their core. Songwriting excellence.