Sarah Burton continues to ride high in 2024 with a brilliant collection of Americana roots music from her Swoonville USA album. Now the Ottawa, Ontario-born, Toronto and Texas-based singer-songwriter is back with one of the year’s better double A-side releases in “Sorry” and “Oklahoma.” Although both are different in terms of structure, style, and sound, the quality and musicianship is something to be envied by anyone who appreciates great, infectious music.
“Sorry” is a reflective, contemplative nugget Burton says speaks to acknowledging past mistakes that could run the gamut from little white lies to something far more significant. It’s a universal emotion that causes people to relive those miscues and criticize themselves for what they did at the time. And it’s something Burton admits to.
“I’ve been a good person in my life, for the most part,” Burton says regarding “Sorry.” “But I’ve had moments that to this day make me cringe. There are times in my life I look back on and have to realize that although I may have thought in that moment that I was right – I was wrong to act the way I did. It pains me to admit that I may have had a part to play in somebody’s bad time, but I surely did. This song is an apology for things I can’t change, for mistakes I made, for hurts I caused, whether I meant to or not.”
Burton, who also spends time in Texas locales including Austin and Terlingua as well as Salmon, Idaho, is front and center on “Sorry.” Although strumming her acoustic guitar to start the track, Burton’s rich voice is accompanied by a simple but timeless mix of folk, roots, and pop that winds its way around her ridiculously sweet delivery. While recounting incidents dating back to high school, Burton’s approach brings to mind artists like Lori McKenna, Sheryl Crow, The Chicks, and Australian folk roots group The Waifs.
“Sorry,” written by Burton and produced by Jane Aurora, features Burton on vocals and guitar, Matt Kelly on keyboards, backing vocalist Jody Peck, bassist Erik Nielsen and drummer Leon Power. The same musicians are also used on the other A-side “Oklahoma” (also written by Burton and produced by Aurora) with Kelly playing both guitar and pedal steel guitar and Australia’s sweetheart, Liz Stringer, leading the charge on the backing vocals.
Speaking of “Oklahoma,” Burton says the punchy, country-tinged jewel was inspired by a man wearing a “denim pearl snap shirt” who Burton struck up a conversation with after a show she played. “He was from Oklahoma, and he was living in his van,” Burton says of the “ruggedly handsome” gentleman. “I love a good van, so I asked him what kind of van. ‘Do you want to see it?’ I knew what he meant, and it had nothing to do with the make or model of his bed on wheels.”
Although Burton declined the invitation, the following morning she woke up with the song in her head. “‘Oklahoma tells the story of a woman tired of supporting her van-life boyfriend, but willing to make it work if he’s willing to work for it,” she says. “A song about making compromises for love and making changes to work towards a better life together.”
“Oklahoma” also has a “self-reflexive element,” as Burton says she often sleeps in her van although she stays in hotels. “It’s a fact which begs the question who is the free-wheeling van-lifer that won’t settle down. Is it the stranger from Oklahoma who I know nothing about? Or is it the woman with a tattoo of a minivan and no fixed address?”
Fueled by a steady country-leaning melody that is powerful and melodic, “Oklahoma” has Burton leading the way that brings to mind Sheryl Crow’s The Globe Sessions with its authenticity and earthy vibes. The solid rhythm section enables the song to flourish with a bigger arrangement complete with pedal steel and lovely harmonies. Kelly provides some gorgeous roots rock riffs in the bridge before Burton brings it back home masterfully. In short, much like “Sorry,” “Oklahoma” is a keeper!
The double A-sides epitomize Burton’s latest full-length studio effort Swoonville USA but also symbolizes her consistently excellent discography. After a 2008 EP entitled Love Is For Pussies, Burton released her full-length debut Mayflower in 2010. Subsequent albums have included 2015’s Make Your Own Bed, 2019’s Give Me What I Want, and 2023’s 64 Magic Queens. Burton has also shared the stage with Jim Lauderdale, Mary Gauthier, Big Sugar’s Gordie Johnson, and Susan Gibson. And she’s played various festivals including Mile of Music, Merlefest, North By Northeast and Canadian Music Week.
Now with a double A-side release in “Sorry” and “Oklahoma” in addition to Canadian and U.S. tour dates throughout 2024 and 2025, Sarah Burton is making new listeners, loyal followers and critics swoon over her remarkable material. You’ll be sorry if you don’t check out both of these captivating, well-crafted singles.
