Run Home Slow (2019)
If Half Mile Harvest was the Teskey Brothers stepping into the blues world with confidence, Run Home Slow is where they lean deeper into their soulful side, blending in elements of R&B, doo-wop, and cinematic grandeur. This record feels like a crisp November day—lovingly warm, earthy, and tinged with introspection. It’s a record that wraps around you like a cozy scarf on a chilly front porch.
The opener, Let Me Let You Down, sets the tone with its live-in-studio feel. Sustained Hammond organ chords bring a deep, deep warmth to the track, while Josh Teskey’s vocals sound like they’re straight out of the golden era of soul. It’s raw, emotional, and peak autumn.
Carry You shifts the tone toward R&B, with smooth rhythms and a deeply intimate atmosphere. It’s blues with a softer edge, a style that feels like it was made for quiet nights and heart-to-heart moments. On the other hand, Man of the Universe brings a feel-good energy that’s almost holiday-esque in its joyfulness.
Then comes Hold Me, a minimalistic doo-wop-inspired number that’s sweet and simple in its delivery. The Teskeys don’t overdo it here—they let the song breathe, relying on the warmth of Josh’s voice and sparse instrumentation to carry the emotional weight.
If the record has a first act finale, it’s Paint My Heart. Balancing its most spacious moments with uplifting crescendos, this track feels larger than life at times, almost like it was crafted to score a movie montage. It’s one of those songs where you can feel the band pushing themselves into new territory without losing their identity.
But if you want raw emotion, Rain is where you’ll find it. A heart-wrenching love song, this track might be Josh Teskey at his most vulnerable. Every note, every syllable feels loaded with weight, like he’s singing straight from the depths of his soul and what has become the brothers most popular song to date.
And then there’s So Caught Up, a bouncy, piano-driven number that’s impossible not to love. With its funky drum licks and singalong-worthy chorus, it’s a standout track that practically demands you clap along and sway in rhythm.
Things get tender again with San Francisco, a gorgeous ballad where the backing harmonies truly shine. The heavenly layers of vocals toward the end are heavenly—this track is a moment of pure beauty. Sunshine Baby, on the other hand, is eerie yet warm, like a front porch blues number with an edge of haunt.
Sun Come Ease Me In brings a 70s blues rock feel, soft and laid-back, while That Bird closes the album with power and emotion. It’s a fitting finale, a song that feels like the band wrapped things up with every ounce of themselves in it.
Run Home Slow is an evolution for The Teskey Brothers, a record that subtly broadens their sonic palette while maintaining their signature warmth and authenticity. With R&B flourishes, cinematic highs, and moments of deep heartfelt intimacy, it’s an album that proves their versatility and their staying power. If Half Mile Harvest was the sound of a band finding their voice, Run Home Slow is the sound of a band embracing it fully.
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Highlight Songs:
Rain
Let Me Let You Down
So Caught Up
San Francisco
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Own it, Stream it, Forget about it?
Again, as a music enthusiast and avid supporter of “owning your music,” I want to say go out and buy this. But, I also understand that true blues ain’t for everyone. I say stream it but if you find that this music speaks to you then you better RUN to go buy it.
