Level-Headed Even Smile [LP], Dylan Earl, Vinyl

Born in Louisiana and naturalized by the Natural State, Dylan Earl seeks to understand himself by understanding others. His new album, 'Level-Headed Even Smile' (2025), charts territory into his formative years discovering Arkansas, the people who showed him the ropes and back roads; and who he hopes to become. Offering poignant nostalgia, history, and a refreshingly progressive approach to country and western music, his newest effort is rife with wry wit, irreverence, and an endearing desire to colour outside the lines.Earl is a welcome, original voice in the scene, finding favour in mainstream and alternative spaces alike as a loveable, alt-country hippie. Charming and direct, he's easy to root for, and has spent many hours behind the wheel, driving to play for you. Sharing stages with other fan favourites like Esther Rose, labelmate Nick Shoulders, Judy Blank, Emily Nenni, Teddy & The Roughriders, Rattlesnake Milk and The Deslondes across the USA and the EU/UK, Earl has honed his performance and craft for nearly a decade.Describing Earl's catalogue as "an exploration of identity" is fitting, but it's certainly deepened by the subtleties and clever turns of phrase across the 10 track run-time. Earl is a welcome, original voice in the scene, finding favour in mainstream and alternative spaces alike as a loveable, alt-country hippie. Travelling counter-culture and across vast expanses, not unlike the inimitable White River in Arkansas, Earl carves a path distinctly his own.