Jonathan Calhoun’s “This Land: Songs for the Usa” is a five-song EP that feels closely tied to the spirit of its July 4 release. The title says a lot about where Calhoun’s attention is focused, but the EP does not need to make a big statement to get its point across. There is a straightforward sincerity to the project that makes it easy to settle into and spend some time with. Calhoun has been steadily building a varied catalog, with releases including “These Empty Arms”, “Sunday Shade of Blue”, “Over the Street Lights to the Stars” and “Lifetime on I-79”. “This Land: Songs for the Usa” adds another side to that body of work, giving him room to explore ideas connected to America, its identity and the feelings that come with the country’s familiar symbols and ideals.
The five-song format works well here. It keeps the project focused without asking too much from the listener, making it an easy EP to play from beginning to end. One of the songs that naturally draws attention is “Land of Hope and Dreams”, a title that immediately brings thoughts of possibility, ambition, and the American experience to mind. There is also something appealing about the timing of the release. Putting out a project centered on America on July 4 gives it a clear connection to the day, but the songs can still be enjoyed beyond the holiday. That is important because a release like this should have a life outside of a particular date on the calendar. Personally, I enjoyed the sincerity behind “This Land: Songs for the Usa”. It feels like Calhoun is approaching the subject with genuine interest rather than trying to make the project bigger than it needs to be. I also like the decision to keep things to five songs, as it makes the EP feel focused and easy to revisit.
If you are discovering Jonathan Calhoun for the first time, “This Land: Songs for the Usa” is a good introduction to this part of his work. Give the full EP a listen, spend some time with “Land of Hope and Dreams”, and see which song stays with you after the final track. Make sure to follow Jonathan Calhoun on your favorite streaming platform so you can keep up with his next release, and add “Land of Hope and Dreams” to your playlist if it earns a spot. Whether you are putting together an Americana playlist, looking for something fitting for a July 4 listening session, or simply checking out an artist you have not heard before, this is a release worth giving some time to. Sometimes a short EP is all you need to discover an artist you want to keep following, and Calhoun gives listeners five songs to do exactly that.
