Ram Reverb: “New City Blues” by Aubrie Sellers

One of the biggest thrills in music is when you get a chance to hear something that sounds truly different. By remixing elements of multiple genres and blending her numerous talents, Aubrie Sellers has achieved distinction with her debut album “New City Blues.” These moments are few and far between, but when they happen, they are shut-up-and-take-notice releases that demand attention and make up for any lapses in polish.

By drenching her lo-fi country in reverb and distortion, Sellers has created something wholly unique. Sellers has described the sound as “garage country,” and she hit the nail squarely on the head.

The ballads here are satisfying, if a bit traditional, but it’s the uptempo tracks that stand out. Loud and messy, they take country music into the land of grunge and even punk.

Standout track “Paper Doll” might be the best example of that. A pair of sloppy, hyperactive guitars and some temper tantrum drumming compete with Sellers scuffed-up twang to create something truly thrilling and unlike anything on radio at the moment.

These moments are all over the album, from the fuzzy guitar work that lays the foundation of “Liar Liar” to the way that “Sit Here and Cry” evokes Jet’s “Are You Gonna Be My Girl”.

If her lyrics lack the polish of contemporaries such as Brandy Clark and Kacey Musgraves, that ends up being part of the charm. Her vocals more than pick up any slack. She evokes her famous mother, country legend Lee Ann Womack, through her pretty and practiced vocals.

They sit uncomfortably with the grungy instrumentals in all the right places and are capable of some very impressive acrobatics (the way she bends the words “last night” on “Dreaming in the Day.”)

A capable live performer, Sellers will hit the road for her first headlining tour later this year. It will certainly be one that shouldn’t be missed.

Sounds Like: Country music for people who wear oversize flannels and don’t listen to country music.

Perfect for: Sitting around the fire on the first camping trip of Spring.

Music Desk, Josh Buck

I’m an almost annoyingly outspoken feminist who loves writing about gender and race in mainstream art. I once had to be almost physically removed from Disneyland because my friends said it’s not cool to be the very last person in the park. I can’t wait to graduate in the spring so I can point my car West with no money and no plan, and spend months seeing the country, writing and meeting people.