Leavin’ This Holler

49 Winchester channels its rural Appalachian roots on *Leavin’ This Holler*, the follow-up to the band’s 2022 label debut, *Fortune Favors the Bold*. The small-town Virginia-bred six-piece recorded the album during a particularly arduous stretch of touring, grabbing pockets of time on off days in various cities to pop into a studio and lay down tracks. You can hear that gritty, live energy across the LP, which the band produced with the help of Stewart Myers (Gomez, Jason Mraz). Standout tracks include “Yearnin’ for You,” a vulnerable account of missing loved ones while out on the road, and the record’s title track, which features an appearance from singer-songwriter Maggie Antone. Another highlight is “Fast Asleep,” which singer/guitarist Isaac Gibson wrote when he was 19 and the band was in its infancy. The song seamlessly fits within the broader record as a testament to their creative development.