June Star wsg Don Duprie

'Arrival' (out Oct. 28th on WhistlePig Records) marks Baltimore-based June Star's 24th year and 18th recording. Reaching back to simplified acoustic arrangements, songwriter Andrew Grimm and pedal steel raconteur Dave Hadley retrace their roots with songs about waking up one day and not knowing how long you've been somewhere in life. With deft production by Bunky Hunt in Detroit, the Arrival EP nestles comfortably in the extensive June Star catalog. Grimm comes off like Smog-era Bill Callahan if he had chosen to dive inward or The Jayhawks if they were more keen to stark emotional realism.