For those wondering, yes, Blood Harmony (out now via Tricki Woo Records) righteously affirms Larkin Poe (sisters Rebecca and Megan Lovell) as an essential force in shaping the identity of Southern rock ‘n’ roll, breathing new energy into the genre with both forward-thinking perspective and a decidedly feminine strength.

In a departure from the self-contained approach of past albums like 2020’s Self Made Man – praised by American Songwriter’s “pumped up for arena-sized consumption without compromising any of its stripped-down command and intensity” – Larkin Poe co-produced the new album alongside Texas-bred musician Tyler Bryant (also Rebecca’s husband).

With Megan handling harmony vocals, lap steel, and resonator guitar and Rebecca on guitar and keys, Larkin Poe also enlisted members of their longtime live band, including drummer Kevin McGowan and bassist Tarka Layman.

Mainly recorded at Rebecca and Tyler’s home studio, the result is an electrifying new work that fully harnesses the fiery vitality they’ve shown in touring across the globe, imbuing their songs with equal parts soulful sensitivity and thrilling ferocity.

1. Deep Stays Down
2. Bad Spell
3. Georgia Off My Mind
4. Strike Gold
5. Southern Comfort
6. Bolt Cutters & The Family Name
7. Blood Harmony
8. Kick The Blues
9. Might As Well Be Me
10. Summertime Sunset
11. Lips As Cold As Diamond

This quite majestically-crafted, organically heartfelt album opens on the stripped slide guitar of Deep Stays Down and the rocking, swampy blues of Bad Spell and they are followed by the earthy blues of Georgia Off My Mind, the rhythmically melodic, buzzsaw guitar work of Strike Gold, and then comes the foot-tapping, pulsating Southern Comfort.

Next up is one of my own personal favorites here, the ZZ Top-esque guitar boogie of Bolt Cutters & The Family Name and the soulfully uplifting tribute to your next of kin within the titular Blood Harmony, and they are in turn backed by the upbeat, free flowing riffs within Kick The Blues, the album rounding out on the languishing beauty within Might As Well Be Me, the gritty guitar and killer slide within Summertime Sunset, coming to a close on the stark, bayou-embed, chillingly-tinged Lips As Cold As Diamond.

“When steering by your own stars, you never quite know where you’re going to wind up,” says Larkin Poe. “Our true north is unique to us, and in following our true north without compromise,we have been out freewheeling this world on the ride of our lives.”

“And it still feels like just the beginning. Blood Harmony is a creative step we are proud to have taken together as sisters. We grew these songs in a sweet part of our hearts and we hope they bring beauty.”

Larkin Poe - Blood Harmony (Official Video)

Larkin Poe - Southern Comfort (Official Video)

Larkin Poe - Deep Stays Down (Official Audio)

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