We Speak Music
Mickelson Delivers His Most Personal and Politically Charged Album Yet
After years of carving out a name as one of the most compelling voices in Americana and folk-rock, Mickelson returns with, If You Can’t Be Right, Be Loud., a record that showcases his ability to dissect the complexities of modern life with unflinching honesty.
Lauded by critics for his genre-defying approach, Paste Magazine describes his music as “the balance between strong, subtle, unexpected, and sophisticated.” On this latest album, Mickelson embraces that ethos fully, weaving together politically tinged anthems and introspective ballads.
A highlight of the album is “Amplify,” a powerful opening track that encapsulates the tensions of the current political landscape. “I couldn’t ignore what was happening around me,” Mickelson explains. “This song, and really the entire album, reflects the frustration so many of us feel.”
Yet, If You Can’t Be Right, Be Loud., is not just a protest record—it’s also a deeply personal journey. “Glowstick” and “Two Flat Tires” explore mental health and addiction with striking vulnerability, while tracks like “Small Town Scandal” lighten the mood with sharp humor.
Mickelson’s meticulous craftsmanship shines throughout, as he not only wrote and performed much of the album himself but also handled the production. The result? A collection of songs that, as Glide Magazine notes, feature “fervently emotive vocals and melodic precision that reminds the ears of Steve Earle.”
A particularly exciting moment on the record is Mickelson’s collaboration with **Colin Moulding of XTC, whose bass work on ‘Only Grey Matter Boiling In My Head’ and ‘Blue Is The Warmest Color’ elevates the songs to new heights. “Having Colin on these tracks was a real honor,” Mickelson says.
With, If You Can’t Be Right, Be Loud., Mickelson proves yet again why he remains one of the most essential voices in modern Americana. Americana UK sums it up best: “The combination of the layered vocals and instrumental textures, along with a tune that feels immediately familiar, is what makes this album anthemic.”
Songwriters often draw from personal experience, but what makes Just a Daydream stand out is the way AMBER reshapes those experiences through imagination. Instead of presenting events exactly as they happened, she builds scenes that feel colourful, expressive and full of possibility, giving the songs a distinctive identity from the very beginning.
That approach reflects the idea behind the EP’s title. What begins as a passing thought or a hopeful fantasy gradually develops into something more tangible, carrying listeners through romance, longing, disappointment and, ultimately, self-acceptance. The songs remain connected by that thread, making the EP feel like one continuous conversation rather than a collection of separate ideas.
Musically, AMBER blends soul, jazz, funk and pop touches without allowing any one influence to dominate. The lively pulse of “Say What” explores the confusion that can grow from crossed wires, while “Aromatherapy” offers a gentler close, bringing the emotional journey to a place of calm reflection.
Working with producer Kipper Eldridge, AMBER has created a debut that places storytelling at its heart. Every musical choice supports the atmosphere of the songs, allowing the lyrics and performances to take centre stage. Out now through Now Listen, Just a Daydream is more than a collection of well-made tracks. It is an invitation into a creative world where imagination gives everyday emotions a fresh perspective and where even the smallest moments have a story worth telling.
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