EP Review/ Americana : JD Hinton’s ‘So Close So Far’

JD Hinton’s music is old Hollywood, a vintage coarse country charm that blows through the wind. There is a lot of culture in his songs, history and the stamp of time. And he weaves a rich tapestry, never failing to impress the notions of country music, blues, and rock. His latest release is the ‘So Close So Far’ EP, a five-song collection that rings with his vibrance. Compared to artists like Hank Williams, Leonard Cohen, and Robbie Robertson, the artist justifies the juxtaposition with sophisticated songwriting, performance, and class. You can feel the song come alive in your ears, so seasoned and warmly intimate. 

With this EP, the artist explores the complexity of human relationships, igniting embers of aliveness, tracing the pathways of love, and expressing melancholy. It has that authentic power, compelling aura, and a classic rock depth that you can get lost in. 

‘Rain Rain Rain’ introduces the EP with its deep, contemplative and atmospheric soundscape. There is so much of that stormy romanticism in Hinton’s voice, delivered with crackling baritones. The classic rock glints and gleams with blues. The country winds through the backdrop, along the tail of an accordion in a memorable and remarkable way. This song, released as a teaser to the EP, sets the stage, expectations and vision for this release. ‘Don’t Dig My Grave Yet’ is an immediate favorite with its electric riffs, submerging basslines, brimming country guitar and of course the baritonal theatrics of Hinton. The song is special because of how gracefully it holds the artist’s charisma; not only that but it exudes it. 

‘Let’s Do Now (I’m Here, You’re Here)’ featuring Kathrin Shorr is a country folk flow. So beautifully mellow, profound and contemplative. The vocals of Hinton and Schorr tangle with a blissful passion, so real and raw, a connection that seems to be forged naturally and intuitively. The song gleams with the acoustics, the resonance and the softer family of melodies. So dreamy and romantic, setting the tone for a happy ending. 

‘Where Do I Sign’ is the penultimate song, looping us back into the coarse, luminous country rock space. It is made with a deliberate performance. Forming against a backdrop of a film set, it has that retro glaze, that fuzzy warmth, a feeling of nostalgia and greatness that takes over. Hinton’s vocals are deep, weighted with a savvy confidence and a head full of stardom. It shines like a star and you can’t get enough of it. The perfect interlude to the conclusion with ‘I Have to Dream - 2025 Version’; another lovely slow song that caps off the EP with a meaningful ethos. 

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The album is available for streaming on popular sites like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music!

You can listen to ‘So Close So Far’ by JD Hinton here -