Album Review: Horsebath - "Another Farewell"

With the experience of freely traveling cross country over the past few years, Horsebath culminate their love of classic folk rock and country into Another Farewell, something that should be enjoyed with the ease of kicking back and sitting out on your front porch in the hot desert sun.

Strolling Bones - 2025

Let's face it: there are moments where you scroll on your music streaming application of your choice and find something that sparks your curiosity, whether it be an artist's name or an album cover. Both are the case for Another Farewell, the debut album from Montreal-based band Horsebath. On the new releases page on Apple Music (my strongly preferred streaming application of choice), which I tend to look at every Friday to seek new releases I may have missed, this album's intriguing yet tasteful artwork attached to its odd, head scratching name really gained an interest for me. When listening to Horsebath's new album, you immediately get a familiar sense of classic folk country, rock, and psychedelic country in there, aka cosmic country. There's an impressive kinsmanship with this group, where members will rotate vocal abilities on each track, while the band's performances actually sound like they're coming from a tight ship (or stable) rather than from a band who just released their debut album. With the experience of freely traveling cross country over the past few years, Horsebath culminate their love of classic folk rock and country into something that should be enjoyed with the ease of kicking back and sitting out on your front porch in the hot desert sun.

The irony of that picture I just evoked into your fellow reader brain is that Horsebath are not from Kansas, or Texas, or Wyoming for that matter. They're Canadian... from Montreal. Being from Canada certainly wasn't going to be my guess of the band's origins but they sure as heck make me believe otherwise. The five piece along with some studio musicians do make quite a stamp within the genre on Another Farewell. Ten tracks, just under forty minutes... no BS in sight. There are some straightforward country bar rockers that are simply joyful to listen to, such as the stomping opener "Hard to Love", as well as some odes to vintage country Western music like on "Really Did a Number on Me" and "Turn My Lover Loose". "Long & Lonesome", "Turn My Lover Loose" and "Train to Babylon" each have a steady, fun, modern folk rock vibe that's sun-soaked in desert blues, making you really wonder if these guys are actually from the frosty, chilled Canadian lands. "Only In My Dreams", a swinging, foot tapping highlight, has the classic swooning of a country song from the 50's lovesick ballad matched with the detailed and rich production Horsebath has brought.

The production and mixing can be quite rich at points, especially when it comes to the slower, prettier ballads. The best songs on the album are the more melancholic ones and when you hear its charm, it's easy to be won over. "In the Shade" has a swirling, dreamy atmosphere with just a touch of psychedelia that sounds like if Grizzly Bear or Band of Horses decided to take shrooms and cover The Band. "Don't Know What It Is" is my personal favorite with Daniel Connolly on lead vocals (who is probably my favorite vocalist of the bunch). The slowly turning acoustic guitar matched with his voice and quiet, patient harmonies make it quite the stunner. The title track is another huge payoff that acts as the band's ultimate swan song, despite it being on their first project. Its rising progression of guitars, harmonica and harmonies and infectiously heartbreaking chorus makes it an instant highlight. The proper balance of slower songs, faster songs, songs with more of a throwback style, and songs with a modern flare is satisfyingly exquisite. The album's flow is super enjoyable straight through chronologically or even on shuffle.

I'm not exactly sure how Horsebath or Another Farewell seemingly came into traction almost out of nowhere, but it's nice to see that they're at least getting some recognition from the music blog-era side of the internet so far... seeing coverage on sites like Brooklyn Vegan and a positive album review from the sinking ship that is Pitchfork. With this impressive debut album, I could see them really taking off soon and I hope they do. It's very entertaining, well produced and mixed, and solidly performed, one that I'd like to definitely return to throughout the year. As far as folk rock, country, blues, and psychedelic country goes, Horsebath's Another Farewell is a pretty great choice of a band to check out. They're certainly a strong choice when it comes to the likes of other newer, fresher groups within this genre. Even though its still very weird (and perplexing) band name introduced me to their music, I'd like to hope that Horsebath is just getting started.

My Rating: 7 / 10

Favorite Songs: "Don't Know What It Is", "Another Farewell", "In the Shade", "Hard to Love", "Only In My Dreams", "Train to Babylon"