You feel like you’re in good hands when you listen to Tracey Barnett’s latest album Eyes Forward. It’s the sophomore album from this Western Australian singer-songwriter, a collection of songs that hums with the confidence of someone who has lived a life.
Tracey is fierce. The opening lap steel guitar notes of the first track “Worth It” tell you that. They create the sort of tension you get when a cowboy steps into frame for the big Western movie gunfight. By the moment her bluesy voice joins in, you know she’s the hero of the story here, the one bound to come out on top. This song is so full of grit and guts. Tracey is in her element here. We see that uncompromising brashness again with other tracks like “Gotta Get Out” and “Phoenix.”
But there’s a much softer side to Tracey’s music too. When she’s not kicking arse, she’s sharing the wisdom that comes from being around the block a few times. The title track is a rousing call to arms that reminds listeners to keep their eyes forward and trust their feet. Keep on going, rather than looking back at what has been. “Five Year Plan” is a tender ballad that paints the portrait of a couple just trying to survive the best way they can so vividly. I’ve never been to Western Australia, but I feel I can imagine its serenity so much more clearly after hearing the stunning companion closing numbers, “Calling Me Outside” and “A Taste of Morning.”
Tracey fuses traditional blues and country elements with modern rock sounds. It’s such an intriguing and compelling mix. At times Eyes Forward feels like a real throwback, in the best possible way. Classic sounds are classics for a reason. But there’s a fresh fire about her sound that kept me captivated. Whether she’s delivering a song full throttle or giving her audience the chance to catch their breath, it’s always special. Eyes Forward is only Tracey’s second album, but it shows such maturity. She sounds like she’s at the height of her powers, an amazing thought when you consider that her career likely has a long way to go.
Eyes Forward is out now. Tracey will play the following Western Australian shows in the coming weeks:
22 January 2022 – Denmark Arts Market, Denmark
27 January 2022 – Prince of Wales Hotel, Bunbury
28 January 2022 – Rocky Ridge Brewing Co (cellar door), Busselton
18 February 2022 – The Parade Hotel Bunbury, East Bunbury
19 February 2022 – Boyup Brook Country Music Festival, Boyup Brook
Image used with permission from Firestarter Music