Songs of the Week: Nate Amor, Adam Spry & My Crooked Teeth

Welcome to Songs of the Week, a running series with new selections.

Nate Amor – “Keep Dreaming”

A breakup let to revelation for Nate Amor. Reeling from the heartache, the singer-songwriter quickly realized how he’d been handling things, often turning his attention to bad people and bad habits. So, he put pen to paper to regale his ongoing journey. “Keep Dreaming” finds him turning his head upward and letting the sun’s warm rays splash over him. “I love the way you looked at me,” he admits. In the song, he admits that “nobody’s perfect, babe,” he whispers through his teeth. His voice packs on the gravel, yet remains inviting and silky. Guitar in hand, Amor’s sage wisdom has been well-earned through years of travel, even in his darkest times. And here he emerges stronger and more resilient than ever.

Adam Spry – “Rotten Mausoleum”

Adam Spry traversed the streets of Rome when the song’s center came to him. He imagined a emperor who had philosophy on the mind, rather than wanting to rule with an iron fist. Spry sketched out what would become “Rotten Mausoleum,” a jaunty little tune detailing this elaborate fantasy. “Emperor made of marble / All you do is stare,” he sings, before the guitars light up on fire. Musically, it shifts and boogies with a classic, timeless texture. His voice is honeyed and rich, propulsively driving the melody along steel-bound tracks. It’s the sort of song that goes down oh-so smooth and tickles the senses.

My Crooked Teeth – “You’re Gunna Break My Heart”

Classic country music is chicken soup for the soul. Think Eddy Arnold and Patsy Cline. A throwback dedication, My Crooked Teeth‘s “You’re Gunna Break My Heart” feels as though ripped out of a bygone era, glistening with rich, finger-picked instrumentation. Jack Olchawski’s vocal even harkens back to the past with emotive power and a reliance on sharp, lonesome lyrics. “The next time we’re together, and I’m feeling settling, I’ll remember nothing’s forever / With the dawn, you’ll leave again,” he laments. Even readying himself for the inevitable heartache, there’s no squelching the pain that will rip through his body. He just accepts what is, and that’s quite okay.

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