Pinto (album) explained

Pinto
Type:studio
Artist:Sykamore
Cover:Pinto.jpeg
Released:August 12, 2022
Genre:Country pop
Length:39:03
Label:Independent
Prev Title:California King
Prev Year:2020
Next Title:Through the Static
Next Year:2024

Pinto is the debut studio album by Canadian country artist Sykamore. The album includes ten songs that were previously released.[1] Michael Knox produced every track on the album with the exception of the final track "Wallflower".[2]

Background

Jordan Ostrom, known professionally as Sykamore, wrote or co-wrote every song on the album.[2] The album name, Pinto, was inspired by the Ford Pinto, a car from the 1970s. Sykamore stated that she read a manual for the car in a shop in Franklin, Tennessee that described it as "this car that was really messed up, causing engine fires and blowing up".[1] [3] She used this as inspiration for the title track, opting to write a song "where the car is kind of a metaphor for young love or first love for somebody" that was "at times toxic but [a] very exciting relationship.[1] [3] She noted that she was able to "indulge her pop influences" on this record, and credited producer Michael Knox for creating "strong dynamics" in the music.[4] She initially hoped to release the album in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic altered her plans. She instead released a five-song extended play titled California King that year, with all five songs as well her intermittent promotional singles being included on Pinto.[3] Each song was written and recorded after she fully moved from Alberta to Nashville, and Sykamore viewed the album as the end of her "first chapter in Nashville".[3] [5]

Critical reception

Eric Volmers of the Calgary Herald stated that the album is "album is full of savvy pop songs that maintain enough of a twang to appeal to mainstream country radio".[3] Roman Mitz of The Music Express described "Wallflower" as the most "powerful" song in the album.[1] Nanci Dagg of Canadian Beats Media referred to Pinto as an "equal combination of country and pop".[4] Jason MacNeil of Parton and Pearl said that Sykamore "has a lovely delivery to the primarily highbrow pop country material," on the album, adding that she "isn't crashing and burning with Pinto, more like confidently galloping on a horse of the same name".[6] Kat Harlton of The Harlton Empire stated that the album "pairs empathetic storytelling with instantly memorable hooks and sing-along choruses that capture the emotional rollercoaster of youth and young love".[7] Jenna Weishar of Front Porch Music declared that Pinto is "a journey for listeners, packed with a track for any type of listener".[8]

Release history

Release formats for Pinto! Country! Date! Format! Label!
VariousAugust 12, 2022Digital downloadSykamore[11]
Streaming
August 16, 2022[12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sykamore's 'Pinto' Fires On all Cylinders By Roman Mitz. August 28, 2022. September 2, 2022. The Music Express. Roman. Mitz.
  2. Web site: Pinto - Album by Sykamore. Spotify. August 12, 2022. September 2, 2022.
  3. Web site: The Next Chapter: How Alberta expat Sykamore is conquering Nashville one metaphor at a time. Eric. Volmers. Calgary Herald. August 10, 2022. September 5, 2022.
  4. Web site: Sykamore releases her debut album, Pinto. Nanci. Dagg. Canadian Beats Media. August 16, 2022. August 21, 2022.
  5. Web site: Country Pop artist Sykamore on her debut album "Pinto"!. August 19, 2022. September 5, 2022. iHeart.
  6. Web site: Album Review: Sykamore, Pinto. August 22, 2022. September 5, 2022. Jason. MacNeil. Parton and Pearl.
  7. Web site: Sykamore Shares Thoughts On Debut Album "Pinto". Kat. Harlton. August 18, 2022. September 5, 2022. The Harlton Empire.
  8. Web site: Sykamore Caps Off Summer With Debut Album "Pinto". Jenna. Weishar. Front Porch Music. September 14, 2022.
  9. Web site: Nominees Announced for the 2023 CMAB Awards: Celebrating the Best in Alberta Country Music!. Front Porch Music. Logan. Miller. February 7, 2023. February 9, 2023.
  10. Web site: The 2023 CMAB Awards: Winners And Show Highlights. Front Porch Music. April 3, 2022. Logan. Miller. https://web.archive.org/web/20230407182946/https://frontporchmusic.ca/cmab-awards-nominees-winners/. April 7, 2023.
  11. Web site: Pinto - Album by Sykamore. Apple Music. August 12, 2022. September 5, 2022.
  12. Web site: Pinto Album (CD). SykamoreMusic.com. September 5, 2022.