GHOST OF THE WEST: VOLUME I

Angel White

June 5, 2024

Review by: Kardarious Brown

GHOST OF THE WEST VOLUME I Cover Art

Fifth-generation Texas native and country singer-songwriter Angel White’s debut release GHOST OF THE WEST: VOLUME I is out. The 6-track project takes listeners on a journey through soulful melodies, captivating narratives and introspective lyrics. Inspired by the wide-open spaces of his hometown of Cleburne, TX, his roots run deep with a family lineage of cowboys and century-old horse raising tradition. 

The opening track OUTLAW, showcases White’s light voice gliding over the minimal bass guitar driven instrumental. IF YOU’RE GONNA LEAVE is a calmly instrumented somber record. It has a true, country heartbreak-anthem feel to it. 

“How will we make it out? If you’re gonna leave me now. I’m taking the last string out.” Leaving the singer lonely is the last thing he wants, but if you’re going to go, just leave. 

The third track, RED BLANKET is powerful in sound and journalistic in it’s lyrics. Telling a tale of a fallen, loved one who was influential. It’s the story of a grandmother’s love. A piece of memorabilia was left behind by the departed, hence the title. Playing after is an interlude of Angel White’s grandmother sending him well wishes.

The next track VILLAIN tells a story of not being the enemy. Life’s challenges can make you or break you. Regardless, you have to save yourself.

The project’s single 2733 has a traditional country sound with a sentimental meaning to Angel White. The numbers have a personal connection to his musicianship and emotional occurrences in the singer’s life. The singer’s angel numbers also make for catchy lyrics in the easy, melodic tune.

The closing track LONG WAY UP is a fiery finish to the EP. It is smoking-hot Texas flair at its best. The lyrics state: “It’s a long way up from the bottom. It’s a long way down to the cold dark sea.” In life, one can be on top of the world, flip a coin and you can also be at rock bottom. 

Angel White pays homage to the sidelined narratives of the Black and POC cowboys and historical figures who have been often unjustly erased from the annals of history and mainstream pop culture depiction of the American West. White describes the release as “An ode to the forgotten, a message to the lost, a light in the dark, the ghost of the west.” Stream GHOST OF THE WEST: VOLUME I everywhere. Keep up with Angel White here.