The New Students – ‘Little Blue Dot’ [Album Review]

Following on the heels of their pandemic-inspired album, Quarantunes, released in 2020, New York-based Americana outfit The New Students recently dropped their latest album, Little Blue Dot.

Talking about Little Blue Dot, the band says, “These songs speak to what we think are some of the universal concerns we all have on this little blue dot floating in space: fear for the future of our planet, the vanishing American Dream, love found and lost. We want to write songs that spread human empathy, but also make you want to sing along.”

Made up of Briana Carlson-Goodman (vocals), Justin Flagg (vocals, guitar, banjo), Matthew Gelfer (vocals, fiddle, mandolin, guitar), Sam Gelfer (bass), Beau Moore (guitar, mandolin), and Paul Pearl (drums), The New Students’ sound harks back to the ’60s, blending elements of folk, roots, bluegrass, and Americana.

They’ve released three studio albums and one ‘almost live’ album, and members of the band have collaborated with Peter Yarrow, Noel Paul Stookey, George Grove, and Elvis Costello.

Little Blue Dot comprises 12 tracks. Outstanding tracks include “Fly Home,” a shiny Americana track suffused with layers of instrumentation topped by Carlson-Goodman’s high, silky-smooth voice and soft harmonies.

Twangy and drawling, “Farewell” rolls out on an undulating bluegrass/country melody featuring a plucking banjo and a weeping fiddle. The outro, which starts out with a cappella, reveals tight vocal harmonies.

The New Students, photo courtesy of The New Students

A personal favorite because of its swaying motion and Latin-flavors, “Whale Boy” drips with tints of folk music as delightful la-la-la harmonies travel overhead. Reminiscent of Peter, Paul, and Mary, “Greta’s Song” narrates a message about being good stewards of the earth.

Gorgeous, gospel-like harmonies give the intro of “The Refugee” a hymnal feel, a sonic feeling that suffuses the remainder of the tune.

Infused by hints of tropical savors, the title track highlights a charming, sawing fiddle and the velvety, persuasive voice of Carlson-Goodman. There’s a alluring, optimistic flow to the melody, giving the song an inviting sensation.

Escorted by an array of country surfaces, The New Students deliver earthy soundscapes and top-notch vocal harmonies.

Little Blue Dot Track Listing:

1. Black Earth Country
2. Fly Home
3. Farewell
4. Whale Boy
5. Madelena
6. Greta’s Song
7. Vermont Maple Candy
8. Jackson’s Holler
9. Today A Good Man Is Gone
10. The Refugee
11. Tell Me
12. Little Blue Dot

Run Time: 42:02
Release Date: August 30, 2024
Record Label: Self-Release