Singer/songwriter Elvie Shane's latest offering is a deep dive into his artistic evolution and his heartfelt interpretation of country music. Inspired by the transformative biblical story of the Apostle Paul and the rugged beauty of ancient steel, DAMASCUS features 13 tracks where Shane embodies various characters he's encountered on his journey, weaving their stories into a beautifully cohesive work.

Shane, who co-wrote all the songs on the album, worked closely with his frequent collaborator, Oscar Charles, in its production.

“There’s 13 songs on DAMASCUS, and a lot of p*ss and vinegar,” said Shane. “It’s the ‘Outside Dog’ in me that drives me to do this. Welcome to that autobiography, I’d like to formally introduce myself.”

In a standout collaboration, the Kentucky native teams up with Little Big Town for the track “First Place,” celebrating the everyday victories of simply making it through. With Shane's gravelly vocals blending seamlessly with Little Big Town’s rich harmonies, the song is a captivating blend of country sounds reminiscent of "Boondocks" and Steve Earle.

The album traverses through various musical landscapes, from Appalachian electro-punk to defiant heartland hip-hop, grungy gospel blues, and neon '90s twang, all in service of telling Shane's story—a story that many others can relate to in one way or another.

DAMASCUS kicks off with “Outside Dog,'' a prideful anthem of defiance that sets the tone for Shane's journey of transformation and self-discovery. The mood shifts with the moody, gospel-rock track “What Do I Know,” offering a scathing commentary on a world in conflict.

The album explores themes such as the weight of always needing more in the soulful “Jonesin’,” and tackles serious issues like the opioid epidemic in the agonizing “Pill,” and the need for prison reform in the high-strung, funky “Appalachian Alchemy” and the weary, identity-stripping “215634.”

As the album progresses, hope begins to build with the inspirational message of self-betting in “Winning Horse,” and the tempo picks up with the keys-driven, honky-tonk fun of “Fan On High” and the wild-cat swagger of “Chicken Sh*t.”

Shane’s DAMASCUS journey concludes with the heartland-hymn “Does Heaven Have A Creek,” a track that finds peace through reflection on what truly matters and what lies ahead.

DAMASCUS Track Listing:

• 1. Outside Dog - written by Elvie Shane, Oscar Charles, Jonathan Sherwood
• 2. What Do I Know - written by Elvie Shane, Oscar Charles, Dan Couch, Jonathan Sherwood
  3. Jonesin’ (feat. Jenna McClelland) - written by Elvie Shane, Oscar Charles, Ryan Tyndell, Jeremy Spillman
  4. Baptized - written by Elvie Shane, Luke Preston, Dan Couch, Oscar Charles
  5. Forgotten Man - written by Elvie Shane, Luke Preston, Dan Couch, Oscar Charles
  6. Pill - written by Elvie Shane, Lee Starr, Nick Columbia
  7. 215634 - written by Elvie Shane, Adam Wood, Ben Chapman8. Appalachian Alchemy - written by Elvie Shane, Luke Preston
  9. First Place (feat. Little Big Town) - written by Elvie Shane, Adam Wood, Dan Couch, Jakob Miller
  10. Winning Horse - written by Elvie Shane, Dan Couch, Oscar Charles
  11. Fan On High - written by Elvie Shane, Driver Williams, Hayes Carll
  12. Chicken Sh*t - written by Elvie Shane, Jeremy Spillman, Ryan Tyndell, Oscar Charles
  13. Does Heaven Have A Creek - written by Elvie Shane

Author: Adam Bailey

Adam is a regular contributor for established press release distribution website Release-News.com. He writes on a wide range of topics including music.