Kate Burkart’s 2024 release ‘Another Night’ comes almost a decade after her previous EP ‘Save Me A Seat’, but often shares a stylistic approach that makes the listener feel as if the singer songwriter has never really been away. On these five almost timeless sounding numbers, the performer’s mature voice really comes through, but just as importantly, the arrangements are strong. Three of the songs share a natural blend of Americana and rootsy sounds, along with a warm, almost bluesy guitar tone in a couple of places, which results in something rather satisfying despite any budgetary constraints.

The opening number – and title cut – re-introduces Burkart with a sedate mid tempo arrangement where the strains of a semi-bluesy lead guitar cut through a gently strummed core. There’s a light country tone colouring the relatively mellow sound, and the presence of a mournful organ colouring the arrangement often makes the recording reminiscent of something Clapton recorded with The Band in tow for his 1976 LP ‘No Reason To Cry’. No further connections to 70s rock stars should be sought, however, as this track gradually grows into a really confident, roots-edged number with a much stronger identity, with a great sounding lead guitar taking a dominant role. At the heart of the track, of course, you’ll find Kate herself, and here, her performance shares a countrified croon that not only suits the music in hand, but shares a downbeat quality that somehow makes the number’s core melody seem even richer. You’ll find a similar guitar tone on the equally strong ‘Long Shadows’, a mid-tempo song where a waltzing time signature and strong harmony vocal pull together to create something that sounds far older than its years. It isn’t a number that tries to be smart; it relies solely on a very familiar melody to weave its magic, but between a perfectly pitched guitar solo with a huge, soaring tone and a lead vocal that is unafraid to convey an almost wobbly sadness, it quickly becomes a highlight of this short release.

The beginning of ‘Lights Down Low’ presents another mid tempo coupled with an even heavier strum. It appears to fall somewhere between the more country influenced Gin Blossoms material and a couple of deep cuts from Evan Dando’s underrated ‘Baby I’m Bored’, but in time, a strong lead vocal, a great harmony and a solid lead guitar transform a very 90s mood into one of Burkart’s most accessible pop-rock numbers. Her vocal retains a twang of country, and a solid rhythm section holds down a great, natural groove throughout, and by the time the main hook has presented itself a couple of times, this tune grows into one of Kate’s finest, seemingly without having to achieve anything out of the ordinary. For any listeners who might be concerned about that number not being country enough, it’s countered by the upbeat ‘Close The Door’, a jaunty piece where Johnny Cash’s “boom-chicka-boom” rhythm powers a world of twangy guitar lines and a curly vocal that occasionally sounds more like it was culled from an old Loretta Lynn recording from the 60s. It’s trad, dad, but certainly not without merit. Assuming you’re into the style, you’ll hear a tight band and vocalist who sound like they’re having the best time, despite the lyric not always suggesting the most positive set up.

The EP’s best track, ‘Same Stars’ is used to create a really sedate ending, with an acoustic, finger picked guitar underscoring a crying vocal that conveys a gentle sadness. The opening vocal notes, surprisingly, sound as if they want to slip into Bowie’s ‘Kooks’, but as the tune blossoms, the country and folk strains grow larger, and Burkart’s wavering voice adds a huge layer of emotion. Although this is a folk-oriented number, first and foremost, a heavily twanged electric guitar that pierces through the melody brings a strong, occasional sound that provides a definite link with Kate’s country flavoured fare. On this narrative piece, the protagonist sounds genuinely sincere as she tells a loved one they can “beat the snow” with their “truck packed full of supplies” as they prepare to move onto pastures new. When reaching the simple hook of “I miss you”, Burkart actually sounds close to tears, even before the significant other has left. It’s a subtle piece – especially compared directly with the likes of ‘Close The Door’ – but it definitely gives the artist’s catalogue a greater feeling of depth.

There’s nothing here as rhythmically interesting as the drum oriented ‘Cross The Street’ or as “pure” in a country sense as ‘The Most’ (both gracing Kate’s 2010 release ‘Faith To Fall’). You won’t even find anything moody as ‘Smells Like Candy’ from 2016’s ‘Save Me A Seat’ – a number that has more than a tinge of influence from Aimee Mann. That said, the songs that make up ‘Another Night’ arguably present a more consistent talent and a more assured tone. It’s worth the price of a download for ‘Lights Down Low’ and ‘Same Stars’, but in truth, there are no weak links here. If you have any interest in singer songwriters with an Americana heart, then this EP really should be on your radar.