Erro – “Shadowland”

Erro’s second album Shadowland builds on their debut Strawberry Moon and goes a bit further with the sound. The Pittsburgh group, fronted by Nikki Stagel, keeps the organic approach from the first record but pushes into some new territory.

They record everything with minimal takes and no digital fixes. Most songs are one-take performances, which gives the album a raw edge you don’t hear much anymore. “Honey Bear Lane” has a groovy bass line and some Pink Floyd-inspired guitar solos. “The Watcher” uses piano and horns with a chorus that gets stuck in your head. “Words About Life” is a folk ballad, and “JMS” has early John Mayer energy with solid guitar work and Stagel and producer Michael Gerver recorded at home and at Very Tight Recordings in Pittsburgh. They brought in different collaborators for vocals and instruments, which adds variety without making things messy. The album isn’t trying to be perfect. It’s just capturing real performances and letting them exist as they are. If you like Erro, follow them on social media to see what they put out later this year.