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West Virginia singer/songwriter Sierra Ferrell continues to prove that she is, without a doubt, one the most exciting country musicians in all of America. Banking on the momentous stardom she found in her song “In Dreams,” which went viral on YouTube via a candidly beautiful rendition for GemsOnVHS in 2018—and then again on TikTok. The track was fully worth the hype, as Ferrell’s voice is singular and continues to beckon greatness—as it conjures the jangles of pre-code Western shows and the Loretta Lynn of crooning twang and empowerment.
But “In Dreams” only paints part of the portrait of her artistry. Her debut album Long Time Coming lived up to its title, as it arrived three years after the performance of her breakout track was first recorded. Since then, she’s worked with Ray LaMontagne, Shakey Graves, The Black Keys, Nick Shoulders and, most recently, Zach Byran. But now, two years later, Ferrell is set to put out her long-awaited sophomore effort—and it’s preceded by the electric, adrenalized lead single “Fox Hunt.” When Long Time Coming came out, I’d felt like the recordings didn’t properly capture Ferrell’s on-stage magnetism and improvisational brilliance (though it was still an incredible record); if “Fox Hunt” is any look into what is set to come in 2024, it seems that she and her team have finally captured what it is about her live prowess that captivates every audience she plays for.
“Fox Hunt” is vivid, moving and poignantly energetic, centering Ferrell’s rustic vocals and the balm of her enchanting, hymnal fiddle. The song is a gospel of nature, of rambling landscapes and echoing harmonies—the latter supplied by bassist Geoff Saunders, Joshua Rilko and Oliver Craven. “Well, take the path down to the river, it’s hunting time,” Ferrell sings. “Clothe the kids and feed the children, oh the meat is fine. Don’t let them dogs out of your sight, don’t let them slip through your hands. Just chase that fox down through the pine through the cold river bend.” What might, on the surface, arrive like a rich, visceral depiction of off-the-grid living might just as likely be Sierra Ferrell’s depiction of life as a working musician in a fleeting, unruly industry. Like she says at the end of the track: “I’m just a hunter, just trying to survive.”
Listen to “Fox Hunt” below.