Singer-songwriter Parmy Dhillon returns with “Nashville,” a new tune that makes you think and seems more like a state of mind than a place. Dhillon is appreciated for his simple, truthful storytelling and soulful singing. He even continues to make music that blends folk, rock, and country with a whiff of grit. This release sounds like one of his most down-to-earth yet still exploratory compositions to date.
“Nashville” begins with inviting, warm guitars that feel like they’ve been around the block a few times. This lays the groundwork for Dhillon’s familiar voice to report reality, softly but not holding back. The song sounds familiar and soothing, but it also has a heated undercurrent that articulates the struggle between wanting to be successful and wanting to be at peace. Somebody is at a crossroads, it sounds like, and they’re thinking about how to illustrate what it means to chase something bigger while keeping their feet on the ground. It is the emotional transparency of “Nashville” that gives it its power. Dhillon has always been skilled at writing songs that aren’t exactly noir, but they belong in the murky middle of human experience, and here he really goes there. The song doesn’t make the journey seem glamorous, instead, it tells of doubt, loneliness, and the small moments of self-realization that accompany chasing a dream.
“Nashville” is refreshing in a universe of glossy pop tales. It’s a song that prompts people to pause and consider their own quest for meaning through its gentle rhythms. Parmy Dhillon’s music is authentic, and this release proves it again. That’s where it punches the hardest.