Fretland - Fretland (2020)

Debut album “FRETLAND”. Hailing from Snohomish, Washington, Fretland emerged late last year with their pulsing debut single “Long Haul” and have been dropping a steady stream of singles ever since, with “Black & Gold” arriving in early December and “Must’ve Been Wild” following in January. Fronted by Hillary Grace Fretland, the band is rounded out by bassist Jake Haber, guitarist Luke Francis, and drummer Kenny Bates. Hard-hitting folk merges with grounded Americana influences and rootsy harmonies in Fretland’s impassioned music: From their very first single, the group established themselves as a hybrid in-between the rock and folk spheres, with a definitive predilection for heavy beats, massive outpourings of tension, and subtler nuance.

“Heaven” is a perfect example of these balanced forces at play, finding Fretland dwelling in a somber, light sonic space that eventually evolves into a tidal wave of emotion release. Skip to 3:45 in the song to discover why this band should be on every classic rock and Americana lover’s radar — or respect the journey that gets you there, and listen as Fretland inject our ears with a poignant, pained story of imperfection and human connection. With the beautiful vocal prowess of Hillary Grace Fretland leading the way, “Heaven” proves an absorptive experience. “Heaven is about empathy,” Fretland tell Atwood Magazine. “Being hurt by someone you love deeply and still attempting to understand, forgive, find their humanity is an act of true love. Growing up in a broken family that found healing allowed me a window into that space. It’s not romantic, not familial – but beautifully human. It’s all in the attempt to recognize the moments when someone, much like ourselves, is in need of a lot of grace.”

We’ve all had people come up short in our lives; folks we thought we could trust, who failed in the moment we needed them most. Fretland’s “Heaven” is about finding the power, deep down, to forgive, to empathize, and to let go. It takes a person of considerable character to do this, but that’s why the song requires six whole minutes to get its point across: Such discipline and maturity are worth the time investment.

Cause we’ve walked our many miles,
and he’s taught me many things
I’ve been on mountains high, and in the valley deep
When I prayed he was beside me on his knees,
When I prayed he was beside me on his knees,

By the time Fretland are basking, mid-solo, in a frenzy of their own creation, we’re absolutely sold: There’s no denying this band’s talent, or their exciting charm. It’s been a minute since a folk-rock band sweeped us off our feet, but we’re happy to be falling for Fretland.