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The Heart of Britain

Britain’s Future in One Frame

Already famed for his TV and film exploits, Kiefer Sutherland extends his musical career blending country, rock and Americana with his fourth album Grey. Summer will be warmed by these poignant and personal heart-on-sleeve songs.

WARM AND SULTRY
Four albums in, Kiefer Sutherland has music his main muse in recent years. Grey picks up his rich vein of form with another great record of music.

Come Back Down is so warm and sultry from the outset that those early summer chilly winds melt away and arm your bones. American Farmer has the same warmth but the lament is for a different reason expressing the hardships of an arable life. Kiefer has a Neil Diamond balladeer style. He can also liven things up as Goodbye California romps along smoothly.

Simpler Time is another single release from the album, keeping the upbeat feel good mood motoring along, reflecting what we all universally would long for at the moment.

EVERYDAY EMOTIONS
Although Kiefer delivers the everyday emotions and issues of country songs with the musical tropes you’d expect, there is a freshness in their appeal. Starlight is a prime example; as is Cruel World. Despite the grim issues, the quality of the musicianship carries it through. Even when Sutherland branches into a touch of psychedelia in Down Below, the deep resonant guitar work blends with subtle percussion adding some new and fascinating touches to the country sound.

On Grey, Sutherland states: “The songs were written and recorded over a two-year period from 2024 to 2026. In many ways these songs mark a growth for me personally, as I wrote less about observations and more about personal feelings that I have been navigating in my own life.”

Empty spaces in life need filling with with some love however they are sometimes full with alcohol. Kiefer deals with these issues on a couple of songs; Third Times A Charm and The Bottle Let Me Down.

COMPETENT MUSICIANSHIP
Before the reprise of Simpler Time, a song which breaks the mood of all the other songs is Rage In Me. It shuffles along hastily in contrast to the country feel to the rest of Grey, but confirms his competent song-writing skills.

No frills and no surprises on song content, yet this is a very appealing listen on which Kiefer Sutherland puts his own stamp on country music with excellent musicianship and well crafted songs. Grey is another brilliant step in the evolution of Kiefer Sutherland’s musical career.

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Pam Bondi's diagnosis came shortly after US President Donald Trump ousted her as attorney general last month