Album Review – The Castellows – “A Little Goes a Long Way”

The country music revolution is here, and it seems like everywhere you turn, fresh faces and promising voices are sprouting up with a more traditional sound and an emphasis on songwriting that gets you downright giddy for what the future holds. At or near the top of any list of the most promising hopefuls is the sister trio of Ellie (lead guitar), Powell (banjo), and Lily (vocals), known collectively as The Castellows.
They’ll break your heart before you even hear a note, and then when they break into harmony, they’ll break your heart again. Originally from Georgia, this is no pop country project run through songwriting sessions with Music Row’s biggest hitmakers or paired with the city’s top producers. The Castellows write their own songs, play their own instruments, and came to a major label already surging in popularity, allowing them to sign their own autonomous imprint and publishing deal.
Their new EP A Little Goes A Long Way is one of those whose songs will likely feed into a bigger LP in the future. But similar to the recent EP from another surging artist, Wyatt Flores, the importance and impact of this band is too significant to sit back and wait to size up.
One of the cool things about The Castellows is that they come with an element of darkness that contrasts with their natural beauty, creating a vector of intrigue and mystery into these sisters and their music. The imagery belies some of the depth of the lyricism and the strong adherence to country’s roots. Their song “I Know It’ll Never End” sounds like something you could hear buried in The Carter Family catalog, for example.
“Hurricane” is the only cover song from the seven song set, and a smart pick to instill some of that darkness into this collection. Though originally a country hit for Leon Everette in 1981, the song has recently been covered by Band of Heathens as well as Shane Smith and the Saints. No matter where these ladies picked it up, it shows a depth of knowledge that you like to see, and was a fan favorite when the sisters got their start releasing videos on social media.

What makes The Castellows so important is their potency at attracting young and wider audiences to more rootsy music. As they like to tout, they’re both traditional and modern. That comes through in a song like “The Part Where You Break My Heart,” whose melody and approach remind you of a Zach Bryan cut, but with tighter writing and an actual lyrical hook. It was probably helped by Rhett Akins coming in with one of the few outside contributions to this EP.
Trina Shoemaker as producer may not be a name immediately recognizable by mainstream fans. But she’s worked with many important women of country in the past, including Emmylou Harris, Tanya Tucker, and Nancy Griffith. She is also one of the few female producers and engineers in the business. Shoemaker gives little to second guess, though with the acoustic and rootsy approach of this music, it would be nice to hear a couple more instrumental breaks.
The music seems to call for more robust instrumentation, while some of the songs and the EP overall seem to go by too quickly. One of the standouts of the set is “Heartline Hill” solely written by Ellie, in part due to the enhanced instrumentation of a pronounced banjo bed and lead guitar solo.
But of course the centerpiece remains the singing harmonies of these three sisters that evoke the very elemental roots of country music, awakening something that is both delightfully arcane yet eternally relevant, and heretofore, has remained virtually unappeased in the popular country appetite. The Castellows are here to satisfy that craving, and though still perhaps a little nascent and searching for their perfect sound, they are bursting with promise and talent evidenced in the present tense with this EP.
8/10
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February 11, 2024 @ 8:24 am
We just seen them as a special guest at Brit Taylor’s album release show last week at The Station Inn! Going to check out this EP!
February 11, 2024 @ 8:49 am
They sound too polished and over produced and I would have a hard time believing they sound the same at a live show.
February 11, 2024 @ 9:23 am
I agree. I’ve seen some of their posts on Instagram. Despite the fact that they are beautiful young ladies and do in fact sing some nice harmonies together in those posts, they come across more as “social media influencers” with acoustic instruments in my opinion.
February 11, 2024 @ 11:51 am
Leveraging social media as opposed to showing up on Music Row hat in hand begging for a deal is the better way forward, and soon it will be the only way forward. No doubt these young women used Instagram and Tik-Tok to get where they are. But they grew up with these things, and it’s allowed them to control their own destiny from the beginning. Music Row would have tried to make them radio stars.
February 14, 2024 @ 10:58 pm
Correct again Trig. Music Row wouldve made them the next Shedaisy
February 11, 2024 @ 11:48 am
You may not like these young ladies and that’s fine, but nothing about them is “over produced.” If anything, the production is understated and needs more instrumentation or “body” of some sort. This is a mostly acoustic album produced by a woman known for working with folk and Americana acts. “Bland” like another commenter said I think would be a more fair criticism.
February 11, 2024 @ 9:12 am
Seeing them next week at Eddie’s Attic in Decatur, GA. Glad I got tix early as both shows are sold out.
Solid effort here
And, just as a side note, Levon Helm did a great version of Hurricane.
February 11, 2024 @ 9:16 am
Babes.
February 11, 2024 @ 9:18 am
This is GREAT! These ladies are one of the more interesting acts to come along. Stylistically, they are not at all like The Quebe Sisters, but there is an undeniable similarity to Dixie Chick’s. You gotta love the prominent banjo, in fact that’s what hooks me on them. There is ample video footage of them performing live acoustically in true trio fashion, and that’s most impressive. This is authentic heartland country music folks, whats not to like. And goes without saying, they are uh…rather easy on the eyes!
February 11, 2024 @ 9:24 am
…just don’t mention the president – or the candidate for that matter.
February 11, 2024 @ 9:25 am
With Andy Leftwich playing fiddle!
I keep hearing their names. Does sound sweet and smooth. I wonder if their sound will evolve.
February 11, 2024 @ 9:26 am
This is right up my alley. Thanks, Trig!
February 11, 2024 @ 9:27 am
There version of hurricane has a dark brooding vibe that I can never get enough of. It’s in the same category as Kaitlin Butts White River, or Alan Jackson’s Midnight in Montgomery. It’s a standout! The entire E.P. was enjoyable and when compared to the new release Deeper Well by Kacey Musgraves, it’s easy to see how she will be lapped by the stacked bench of female country musicians. I’m excited to see The Castellows live at Under the Big Sky this summer.
February 11, 2024 @ 10:55 am
I too am a sucker for that dark brooding vibe and “Hurricane” has it in spades. I’d add to your short list if you’re looking for more of that check out Kelsey Waldon’s “White Noise, White Lines” and darn near anything from Elizabeth Cook’s album “Exodus of Venus.” But the standard by which all such songs will be measured for now and until the end of time will always be “Gold Dust Woman.” Doesn’t get any darker or broodier than that. I’ll bet these girls could crush that one.
February 11, 2024 @ 3:04 pm
The only thing brooding about Hurricane is the minor chords. The vocals are soooooo bland. She might as well be singing about what she had for lunch. It’s bored, and it doesn’t add to the story.
February 11, 2024 @ 6:47 pm
They added nothing with their cover of “Hurricane”. The original is far superior.
February 11, 2024 @ 9:41 am
I stress that this is purely my opinion and not disputing Triggers review. I do not find their growth organic, they have literally been everywhere on “my internet”, I find them generic and I feel that as time goes on they will be putting out generic, poor quality pop country. This ep is, for me, incredibly bland.
February 11, 2024 @ 10:29 pm
Well all there songs are pure country not this new over.produced crap with drums n fiddle n bass and more electric guitars just three young gourgous ladys with excellent HARMONEYS bringing great music to America I’m a singer/ musician and I know how hard it is to get it right and these lady’s did just that so go fly a kite if it ain’t your cup o tea
February 11, 2024 @ 9:59 am
It’s too easy to say they can’t miss, they’re the real deal, they’re going to be HUGE!!! So I won’t say it glendel. I love the tunes, the sound, and being adorable doesn’t hurt. I’ve seen the video’s, they’re a little raw, and green etc……but let them get out there and play, get some experience etc FFS…. It took Lainey 12 yrs!!! The way Lily handles herself onstage, she’s a future star!! She’ll learn. We need more breakout women! I’m sure there had to be a bidding war for these gals. I can’t see even one idiot on the row saying “ahhh, we’ll pass,” like they’ve done to so many. If I could buy stock, I’d take a thousand shares.
February 11, 2024 @ 2:06 pm
Lainey is less authentic then Midland and the lyrics to her songs are dreadfully average. Her songs kinda suck. It’s just that because she’s a woman it’s not nice to point that out.
February 11, 2024 @ 2:00 pm
This is not a significant criticism, but I really don’t like the too-serious, frowning faces in all of their recent promo shoots. It’s like trying too hard to convey seriousness and depth.
That aside, it’s a good EP, and they show a lot of promise.
February 11, 2024 @ 2:03 pm
We are long past the time where something marketable and profitable is also organic and authentic. I’d be more inclined to enterain the schtick if when squinting they closer resembled David Lee Roth circa 1981. Women this beautiful are rarely top-notch musicians. It’s what balances out the universe – the hottest an authentic A-class musician female can be on a 10 scale is usually a 7 to 8.5. Anything hotter is just a marketting gimmick.
February 11, 2024 @ 2:48 pm
Just more validation that independent country fans want their favorite musicians to be ugly, unsuccessful, and to sound like shit. That’s how you know they’re “real.”
February 11, 2024 @ 4:11 pm
Damn right!…or ugly folks are typically the type of people with a more gritty sound that some of us prefer. It doesn’t mean they struggled more or are more real than others, but they’re the folks who have to get by on talent. You see a lot more pretty faces in mainstream/pop country than you do in the subgenres that require instrumental and songwriting skill. It makes sense for folks to develop a bias against physical beauty in music. Not saying that’s right though.
February 11, 2024 @ 4:59 pm
The beauty bias is an interesting topic but the worst of it was 70’s and 80’s rock and male pattern baldness. Baldness was simply not tolerated.
February 12, 2024 @ 3:36 am
You are correct there, Strait. I was there in the 80’s, and many a men were sent to “go get some hair happening” or they wouldn’t get the gig. Hair extensions on females are the norm now. In order to be in Megadeth, you had to have great hair as well as be a top notch musician. No baldies need apply, no matter how great you are.
I also never said Lainey was a songwriting genius, but she does just fine.
February 11, 2024 @ 4:51 pm
“and to sound like shit”
I’ve made it pretty clear that I am no fan of Zach Bryan.
February 12, 2024 @ 8:02 am
LOL at people saying their “over-produced” been watching their YouTube for awhile now, they have vids that are just backyard picking/singing, and they have a whole series of shorts called “the Silo sessions (where they sing acapella in an empty grain silo)
Have also seen videos (on other channels) from their live shows and they are all super talented.
I’m a fan and not just for their looks (which they are quite stunning)
Hope the three sisters have a long successful career and get everything in life they deserve.
February 12, 2024 @ 8:01 pm
We just like them to make it on their music, not their looks. We’re sick of pop stars making it on look alone. Sierra Ferrell is attractive, but she’s big because she’s immensely talented and original. She would still be big if she were homely. I have a hard time seeing how these ladies would have even made it this far if it wasn’t for their physical appearance.
February 14, 2024 @ 9:33 am
All these comments sound like a bitter middle-aged bar band on set break.
Strong early Natalie-era Dixie Chicks vibe. I’d love to have another female-pop-country-rippin-string-band out there. Promising start.
February 12, 2024 @ 4:05 pm
Four cases off the top of my head where the looks are a 10 and the lady sporting them is, as you say, A-class musician: Emmylou Harris, Teresa Salgueiro (when she was the singer of the great Portuguese band Madredeus), Hope Sandoval, Fiona Apple.
February 12, 2024 @ 4:07 pm
Oh wait, how could I forget? Jill Andrews.
June 13, 2024 @ 12:09 pm
uhh…allison krauss?
February 13, 2024 @ 11:47 am
From the top of my head…Amanda Shires, Allison Moorer, Phoebe Bridgers, Johanna Soderberg, Jaime Wyatt, Nikki Lane, Rebecca Lovell, Lauren Price, Emmylou Harris, Emily Frantz, Jessi Colter and countless others test the ignorance of that statement.
February 11, 2024 @ 2:07 pm
These gals are pure as the driven snow! They have a raw, authentic sound that begs to be listened to again and again. They got there doing it their own way! Hats off to these fine ladies…
February 11, 2024 @ 2:44 pm
I’ve seen their videos recommended in my YouTube feed but never clicked on em. I obviously misjudged them based on their appearance, which is far too pretty to be someone I listen to, haha. I’m really liking both of these embedded songs though.
February 11, 2024 @ 3:00 pm
I’m normally a huge fan of female voices, and really want to hear more female vocalists sing about things other than romance and heartbreak- but I’m totally on Team This Is So Generic for Hurricane and other songs. It feels like there’s no storytelling there- there’s no emotion in the way the lead is doing the song. Compare it to what Shane Smith did with it and there’s no comparison.
February 11, 2024 @ 3:49 pm
This one doesn’t do it for me at all. I am confused by Trigger saying they are underproduced. I had the opposite response and wonder how they would sound without all the bland instrumentation. I honestly don’t know much about this sort of thing, and I respect Trigger’s opinions. I guess I don’t really hear what he is hearing this time.
February 11, 2024 @ 4:21 pm
Looking through the comments, it seems you either love or hate this album. A lot of people love it, bet a few like you seem to think it’s bland.
Like I said in the review, I think this EP would have been better served with some more robust instrumentation. But to me, that’s a sign of underproduction as opposed to overproduction. I guess that’s a semantic argument. But when I think of something being overproduced, I think of the layers of instrumentation being too much. Underproduced would be muted instrumentation, like this EP features.
I also think we should all appreciate that this is an EP for a reason. You release an EP to see what works, what doesn’t, to test the waters, and introduce folks to who you are. I will be interesting to see the direction they go with their debut album.
February 11, 2024 @ 9:16 pm
Just my .02, but I think when folks say over-produced, they’re not talking about instrumentation. They mean the music sounds slick: the instrumentation a bit too note perfect, a bit too much action from the effects rack, some keyboard pads filling up empty spaces, and vocals that sound nice, but don’t convey much emotion. Or, maybe that’s not what they mean at all.. Anywho, they’re young and not off to a bad start . They’ll be just fine. Best o’ luck to ‘em
February 11, 2024 @ 10:23 pm
I listened to some of their songs and they are talented. The production is boring because there is no tension. I think that’s the forgotten ‘it’ factor that many new releases miss. That doesn’t mean a bunch more instrumentation and louder guitars and BS but there has to be some purposefully dynamic changes and tension to the music.
February 11, 2024 @ 10:38 pm
All you young folk think all music gota be a big production with lots of instruments well pure country ain’t that way it’s simple a voice a heart and sometimes a few istraments
February 12, 2024 @ 8:14 pm
Thanks for the response. I didn’t understand how you were using the terms over and under produced. It makes more sense now.
February 11, 2024 @ 3:53 pm
Pretty good, I reckon.
They could have turned the sex appeal to overdrive but I’m kinda glad they haven’t.
February 11, 2024 @ 4:28 pm
Post Malone ????
February 11, 2024 @ 4:29 pm
Reba ????
February 11, 2024 @ 9:14 pm
LOL at people saying their “over-produced” been watching their YouTube for awhile now, they have vids that are just backyard picking/singing, and they have a whole series of shorts called “the Silo sessions (where they sing acapella in an empty grain silo)
Have also seen videos (on other channels) from their live shows and they are all super talented.
I’m a fan and not just for their looks (which they are quite stunning)
Hope the three sisters have a long successful career and get everything in life they deserve.
February 11, 2024 @ 10:41 pm
All you young folk think all music gota be a big production with lots of instruments well pure country ain’t that way it’s simple a voice a heart and sometimes a few istraments
February 12, 2024 @ 12:19 pm
We definitely can use more of this in the world today. I hope and pray they will be protected as obviously they are like beatiful little lights shining through this very dark and sad phase in our entertainment industry. Hopefully, Dolly Parton can take them under her wings really quick. Rise above!
February 12, 2024 @ 1:12 pm
We can all cast about our opinions, but fact of the matter is, the Castellows are out there doing their thing and we are sitting behind our keyboards talking about them. Who is more real?
I like what they are doing and while I might have my preferences about what they are putting out at the moment (the Hurricane, for example, I didn’t think they got out of second gear when they could have red-lined it but that’s just my opinion) but the quality and talent is certainly there. We are lucky to have them , and loads of other coming up.
I’m an old guy, I’ve seen a lot of acts come and go. The main thing I usually ask myself is “does it look like they have found the “joy” in making music?” If that ain’t there, I am wasting my time watching. I’ll be watching the Calloways a while longer…
February 13, 2024 @ 6:41 am
They are good. I prefer the original of Hurricane but they do do it well. I do like their sound.
February 13, 2024 @ 11:23 am
Wow, I can’t believe this review has been up for two days and my girlfriend STILL beat me to the “hey, have you heard this?” Usually I’m the one getting the scoop and telling her… Anyways, I haven’t gave it a listen, but she sure likes them.
February 13, 2024 @ 1:21 pm
Never heard of them and now I am loving them. Thanks!!
February 14, 2024 @ 10:01 pm
Hey I really enjoy the harmonies in this family band. They are pickers to boot. South and Southwest Georgia is the hotbed of today’s real country acts. I hope their manager let’s either Dave or Brent Cobb produce the next one…. Let just hope music row don’t ruin them like they did in mid 90s with SheDaisey !!!
February 25, 2024 @ 10:31 pm
I saw them at Eddies Attic in Decatur Friday night. They put on an incredible performance. My wife, who was not as swayed by their looks agreed. The two older sisters, who are 20, already graduated college. They are smart and talented. I’m expecting great things going forward. Don’t be haters because they’re pretty.
June 13, 2024 @ 12:24 pm
if the cover was brown paper- no pics- everybody here would be trashing them. i’ve been on to them for awhile (youtube), and i’m sure the industry will turn them into pop-tarts in no time (think carrie underwood “jesus take the wheel”, turned into carrie underwood “sunday night football”. just the look and presentation). they’ll be big, but if they were average looking they’d be going nowhere. simple as that. the “talent” doesn’t measure up to the looks. and they are stunning (i hear aqualung playing somewhere…:))…
another comparison, while i’m here- taylor’s video for “tim mcgraw” as opposed to taylor now. it’s all showbiz, folks. and i hate it.
sometimes, thankfully, the talent is so obvious that it cancels out the presentation. i give you…lyle lovett,,,
discuss…