Oh To Be That Free Press


Desert Dove Reviews

The 10 Best Country Albums of 2019 - Stereogum

The 40 Best Country and Americana Albums of 2019 - Rolling Stone

The 50 Best Albums of 2019 - Albumism

 “Michaela Anne is an inspiring artist. Everyone should check out her new recording. It's called ‘Desert Dove.’“ - NPR’s Ann Powers on All Things Considered

“Desert Dove has a vitality that outshines much of what dominates the airwaves these days. Anne has a lovely voice, and the first-rate ensemble playing behind her, untethered by traditional country conventions, ranges comfortably between Eagles-style rock and the gentle, acoustic-electric equilibrium that croon-rocker Chris Isaak perfected back in the ’90s” - Associated Press

“Captivating vocals... stunning” – Billboard

"Michaela Anne has one of those arrestingly beautiful voices that stop you in your tracks. Anne’s songs possess a real authenticity and depth... Some might say they just don’t make ’em like they used to. But with Desert Dove, Michaela Anne did." – No Depression

“Anne isn’t afraid to embrace cinematic strings over classic country instrumentation, but keeps her glassy quiver and introspective lyrical approach at the core of Desert Dove.” – Rolling Stone Country

The Nashville songwriter dismantled any notions of being a mere honky-tonk stylist on her fourth album Desert Dove, a textured portrayal of turmoil and restlessness set to a mix of West Coast-country, atmospheric indie-rock indebted reverb, and plaintive folk-pop. - Rolling Stone

"Each song fits in an Americana box, but they sound so much bigger than that. The one constant is Michaela Anne’s stunning voice, which resembles the crystal-clear delivery of ’90s country stars like Trisha Yearwood and Deana Carter... sweeping, unclouded music as wide and beautiful as the desert that inspired it." – Paste

"...a key voice in a rising wave of artists who are challenging the narrow representation of women in country music."-The All Scene Eye


Bright Lights And The Fame

“On her latest album, Bright Lights And The Fame, Michaela Anne works through weepers and hits the honky-tonks as every great country singer should. Song after song, her confidence and conviction shine through without casting a shadow on her craft. Rodney Crowell even makes a cameo appearance on "Luisa," further solidifying her dirt-road cred." -NPR

"Enter Michaela Anne, who has come out of nowhere as our saving grace, our angel, the person who will help usher us into a new age with her latest album Bright Lights and Fame." - Noisey by Vice

"Since the release of her debut album To Know Where in 2011, Michaela Anne has been making people take notice. With introspective songwriting, Anne showed a propensity for vulnerable, true-to-life songs that revealed an artist poised to accomplish even more. And she has..On Bright Lights, Anne’s lyrical wit still takes front and center, but now, her songs are infused with a heavy dose of edge, moving seamlessly from honky-tonk barn-burners to personal ballads that seem straight from the pages of her diary. In many ways, the album is Anne’s way of welcoming listeners into her music, just as she was welcomed into Music City. - The Boot, "2018 Artist to Watch"

“'Luisa' is an energetic highway rambler about hitchhiking to Sacramento. Bolstered by aggressive honky-tonk guitar, rich pedal steel, and a casually commanding lead vocal, it bodes well for Michaela’s upcoming Bright Lights And The Fame.” - Stereogum

"Michaela and Bright Lights ultimately display a lot of depth and diversity, with the melodies becoming more enriching with each listen, and her voice displaying incredible strength and emotion in moments, especially when she holds out notes in the higher register. Michaela Anne is more than just a pretty-faced firecracker in some vintage-inspired duds. There’s some really developed songwriting, structure, and themes here, while not forgetting to have a good time." - Saving Country Music

“Even without a full band to back her up, Anne delivered a strong honkytonk punch playing songs off her 2016 record Bright Lights and the Fame, and a few new ones, too. Her voice is something to behold, clear and bright with a little twang. Anne’s songs vary between breaking your heart and making you cry, and sweet kiss-offs with plenty of attitude.” - Glide Magazine, concert review


Ease My Mind Reviews

"Michaela Anne's lovely album Ease My Mind is full of plain-spoken songs of romantic regret and small-town longing, written by her and sung in a sweet voice." - The New York Times

"Anne's sophomore set proves she's a singer with all the polish and confidence of a seasoned star. Ease My Mind is filled with country comforts, a soothing salve for anyone's troubled soul." - No Depression

"The climate turned country as new Nashvillian Michaela Anne took the stage. Petit and stylish in a western vest and boots, her voice more than matched in its clarity and confidence. Most of us were hearing her songs for the very first time and they were catching, absorbing and streaked with country blues...watch for Michaela to emerge among the cool new female voices in traditional country, along with Kelsey Waldon, Angaleena Pressley and Ashley Monroe. It's a good time for the soul-children of Loretta and Tammy." - Craig Havighurst, Music City Roots

"The songs on Ease My Mind are insightful, emotional stories delivered by an ethereal, clear and honest voice that draws you in and holds you there for the duration of the record." - The Daily Country

Across Ease My Mind, Anne writes about the highs and lows of love with insight that exceeds her years. Her soprano is reminiscent of Emmylou Harris and Dolly Parton, and her songwriting shows promise of reaching those heights, too." - CMT Edge

"A new era has begun in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, one in which folk and roots music have become the area's truest "sound". Michaela Anne might have something to do with that. Ease My Mind is chock full of Americana-driven tunes that will have you laughing, dancing and weeping alone to yourself on the E Train." - The Bluegrass Situation

"Ease My Mind is the sweet, heavy-hearted story of a young singer recently disillusioned by the trials and tribulations of love, her family, and her city. Brooklyn's country gem croons these disappointments with a sadness readily combatted by grace and power, offering all of the simplicity of a true country album with the complexity of being young in a big city." - The Deli NYC


michaela has also been covered by:

American Songwriter

NPR

Rolling Stone Country

Relix

Southern Living

The Village Voice

The Utne Reader

Elmore Magazine