Derby Hill, a singer-songwriter of considerable talent, has come from the gritty and storied streets of Detroit to take the music scene by storm. His latest EP, released on January 27th of this year, is a work of genius in the realm of “Neo-sincerity,” deftly weaving together the very fabric of folk, country, roots, and rock music to create something that is at once timeless and immediate. Hill’s work is influenced by the literary sensibilities of Hunter S. Thompson and the songwriting chops of legends such as Steve Earle and Leonard Cohen, and his stories are told in the high-stakes currency of the everyday world: think carnival lights, truck stop loneliness, and the jagged edges of love and loss. Recorded with a DIY spirit in the basements and closets of Chicago, the recording is surprisingly lush, offering a soulful journey that is equal parts intimate storytelling and widescreen sound. It’s a raw and unfiltered invitation to feel something real, so come with me as we take this five-song journey apart, track by track.

The EP itself, *Derby Hill*, is a lesson in atmospheric storytelling, and it begins with “Restless and Forgiven,” a song that pulses to life with a low-frequency, cinematic drone that is akin to the first light of dawn creeping over a suburban neighborhood. When the vocal percussion kicks in with a steady, heartbeat guitar rhythm, we are introduced to a world of lyrics that are defined by the crushing weight of the past meeting the desperate hope of a clean slate. The song is a journey through the internal conflict of a character who is physically present but mentally a thousand miles away, struggling with the ghosts of past transgressions while learning to accept the gift of a second chance. When this character is unable to get this clean slate, he decides to own his sins. The song encourages us to embrace all parts of ourselves, even the dark parts. As a work of music, “Restless and Forgiven” is a slow-burning masterpiece that layers shimmering guitar textures atop a pulsing bassline that mirrors the anxiety of a restless mind. As a listening experience, the song is nothing short of visceral; it is that specific, bittersweet moment when one is finally told “it’s okay” when they have yet to convince themselves of it.

Slipping into the intoxicating beat of “Red Honey Wine,” the EP shifts gears into the visceral and the sensual, opening with a sultry, syncopated acoustic riff that is almost Mediterranean in its warmth. Where the title is sweet, the lyrics veer into the intoxicating and often perilous world of obsession, not just with a person, but with a lifestyle that promises comfort but delivers a slow-moving fog. It’s also a song that talks about how the character in the song just wants to follow his loved one, and even risks being left behind, just to be with her The music is lush and earthy, with a complex layering of strings that build into the chorus, creating a “drunken” wall of sound that captures the very essence of the drunkenness of the subject. One can almost feel the pull of the thing, the temptation of the beautiful thing that one knows, deep down, may very well be a gilded cage.

“Come Back Home,” which opens with a bare, lonely piano melody that evokes the sound of someone playing in an empty hallway, a rain stick sound and guitar melody. The lyrics skip past the idea of a physical home in favor of exploring the idea of “home” as an emotional refuge that has been lost through distance and pride. Just like the character in the song, is encouraged to come back home, it is a song about return, but not necessarily a physical one; it’s about reclaiming the pieces of oneself that were surrendered in favor of ambition or ego. The song swells from a tentative whisper to a glorious, orchestral crescendo that is almost a physical manifestation of the pent-up sorrow. The effect is deeply moving, very the parable of the prodigal son like, and it’s a punch to the gut for anyone who has ever felt like a stranger in their own life. Finally, it also provides a sonic lifeline back to the person they used to be.

Optimism is behind the wheel in “Anything’s Possible Here,” a song that swings open with a bright, jangly and ethereal telecaster riff and a sense of wide-eyed wonder. Rather than dwelling on the darkness of the preceding songs, the lyrics focus on the intoxicating “newness” of a new place, the anonymity of a big city or the promise of a new relationship where the slate is genuinely clean. It’s the thrill of the possibilities that exist before reality has a chance to set in, a moment when the horizon stretches out endlessly. Musically, the song has a bright, airy production aesthetic that is like a breath of fresh air. It puts the listener in a position of invincibility, a much-needed reminder that the world is a whole lot bigger than our problems.

The final stretch is finished off with “In a Matter of Moments,” a song that starts off with a gentle, ambient wash of white noise and a delicate country infused, finger-picked guitar melody that is almost impossibly fragile. The message is a poignant one, a meditation on the impermanence of everything, a life, a love, a dream, that can turn on its head in a split second with a single decision. The lyrics are observational and biting, capturing the small details of a world that refuses to stand still, exhorting the listener to grasp the nettle of the present before it slips away into the past. The music is deliberately sparse, building from a gentle, ethereal melody of backing vocals that are like whispers from the past, before drifting away into a peaceful, resonant silence and I cannot forget the guitar solo in the middle of the song because it was brief but very unforgettable. It is a perfect ending to a collection that charts the vast, complicated terrain of the human heart with such precision and elegance.

The act of recording an EP in the raw, intimate spaces of Chicago basements and hall closets is a statement in itself, but for Derby Hill, it’s precisely where the magic happens. This self-titled album is a lesson in “Neo-sincerity,” tapping into the raw, lyrical spirits of legends such as Steve Earle, Leonard Cohen, and John Prine to create a soundscape that is at once worn and yet utterly fresh. Rather than coming off as “lo-fi,” these songs are astonishingly cinematic, weaving together unflinching narratives of survival, loss, and the kind of hope that only manages to take root in the crevices of life. Each song is not simply a melody but a world, carefully constructed and filled with a sense of authentic storytelling that draws the listener into a deep, introspective conversation. I was particularly moved by the fact that the lyrics never resort to the easy option, these are packed, rich, and deeply human, and it’s clear that Derby Hill is a force to be reckoned with, with a voice that simply cannot be ignored. It’s a rare, deeply personal experience that will have you pining for the “repeat” button, and I, for one, will be keeping a very close eye on what comes out of his quarters next.

Stream the “Derby Hill” EP on Spotify