Indie-folk duo Penny & Sparrow have unveiled their latest offering, 'Lefty', a sprawling 20-track album released via I Love You/Thirty Tigers. The album has garnered significant attention, securing playlist placements on Spotify's New Music Friday (US and Global), The Pulse of Americana, and Apple Music's New in Singer-Songwriter, among others.
Adding to their growing acclaim, the duo recently recorded a session with SiriusXM's The Coffee House, with their track 'Jeopardy' added to the station's playlist. With over 109 million Spotify streams to their name, Andy Baxter and Kyle Jahnke have carved a unique space in the indie music scene.
Their journey began during their college years in Austin, Texas, where the former roommates started by covering songs before venturing into original compositions and live performances. 'Lefty' was crafted in a friend's garden shed, a fittingly intimate space for such a personal and expansive project. The album is a testament to their diverse influences, ranging from Simon & Garfunkel and Slim Whitman to Bon Iver and even Broadway's Stephen Sondheim.
This eclectic mix informs their distinct sound, a blend of ethereal indie folk, raw balladry, tender chamber pop, and experimental storytelling. Critics have drawn comparisons to artists like Sufjan Stevens, Father John Misty, and The Lumineers, though Penny & Sparrow's sound remains uniquely their own.
'Lefty' explores a wide range of sonic textures. The album seamlessly transitions between acoustic reflections and intimate ballads like 'Mattering Ram' and 'Country', airy chamber pop such as 'My Lover Was A Great Man', and glitchy electro-ambient soundscapes reminiscent of James Blake on tracks like 'Even - Keeled' and 'Sea Foam'. The core of the album lies in Penny & Sparrow's signature harmonies, which weave through intimate lyrical passages and reverb-soaked instrumentation.
The duo describe 'Lefty' as "a long collection of both real and made-up things." They explain that the album encompasses "poetry, true stories, literary fan fiction, horror, erotica, slice-of-life vignettes, dream scenarios, saloon conversations, elegies, a toast, a few confessions and at least two love letters." Despite the variety of themes, they believe that "all of them belong together because each one is an extension of us, of the things we love. We are the ties that bind 'Lefty'."
This sense of connection and shared experience is palpable throughout the album, making 'Lefty' a truly immersive and rewarding listen. For more from the band, tune in on Instagram, Facebook, X, and TikTok.
