Release Date: 24 April 2026
Song Count: 12
Duration: 43 minutes, 42 seconds
Rating: 6.4/10
Description:
Song Count: 12
Duration: 43 minutes, 42 seconds
Rating: 6.4/10
Description:
While the focus is laid on artists of all identity-based varieties at the minute given the time of year, here is another that fits the bill: Bobby Dave, a queer artist making contemporary country music with forward-thinking values, and his third and newest rodeo going the full amount of miles, by the name of Fortune Teller. An introspective and narratively multi-faceted work lent by a unique voice and a classic feel, this horseback ride checks every box for what constitutes an all-out Americana experience whilst adding its own small yet impactful twists to the formula.
Primarily led by acoustic guitars and the like, signature to the genre, with electric ones joining along on certain tracks for added energy or emphasis, every aspect of the listen sounds and feels like a modern piece giving a firm nod to music of past times and sticking to the fundamentals as they are constructed and performed. Dove's youthful vocals may at first clash to the listener with the lyrics indicating heaps of experiences, wounding and wisdom - yet they do manage to paint a picture of an up and coming country man either having been through loads early on, or retelling passed-on stories in pursuit of honouring them and passing the essences along. Over time, the authenticity and passion at the core that bleeds into the way everything ends up sounding and being reminiscent of grows into a large-scale effect that the whole album takes on.
Admittedly, in terms of special appeal or individuality within the tracks contained, Fortune Teller tends to draw the short end of the stick, as its striking features instead become the feel around it all. It is clear that Bobby Dove put plenty of himself into this album of his own creation, and particularly slower-paced, calmer songs with almost somber sounding undertones like "Not Much of an Outlaw", "Leaving Manitoba" and "Billie Holliday" make the strengths he possessed as a musical artist particularly evident for all to witness. An overall decent country album that serves something slightly altering from the norm amongst its peers, but not one for many returns for yours truly.