The New Frontiers

“The Day You Fell Apart“
from the album Mending
2008
iTunes

The New Frontiers are a band from Dallas, Texas, who wisely let their music do the talking. Anchored by singer Nathan Pettijohn’s emotional vocal delivery, and complemented in kind by an equally skilled supporting group, the band present powerful tunes with a quiet sense of modesty that doesn’t prepare you for its hefty punch. Delicate melodies stretch themselves and become more than merely quiet moments as the group carefully build up their songs with the likes of piano and echoing guitars.

Mending is the group’s first full-length album, preceded by EPs Tour and Stellamaris. Opening track “Black Lungs” swells around you, grabbing a hold of your senses but gently rather than by assaulting your eardrums. This opener is how the band have approached the whole album; from the raw emotion of “The Day You Fell Apart” or the patient reflection of “Man Down,” it is an album which flows effortlessly and manages to find that perfect combination of gentle and smooth without lulling you to sleep.

Although the record starts becoming a little samey by the fifth track, it is still worth sticking with as this is an uplifting alt.country-inspired album that isn’t afraid to borrow the best parts of other bands and fuse them together. This blend makes for an original yet familiar sound and with catchy songs and honest lyrics, and the New Frontiers have produced an appealing, unassuming record.