It makes perfect sense that three of the four musicians that comprise A Valley Son are Southern transplants: the band has a unique country-meets-the-big-city rock flair. Songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist Trey Powell tackles the real stuff in “Sunset Park,” a song he wrote in response to the death of Michael Brown in 2014. He laments on the state of the country: “It’s always been chaos / but we’ve really lost control / these last few years.” It’s a raw, honest reaction to today’s political environment. The group incorporates some soul elements, a bit of the grit of Springsteen’s lyrics, and a lot of heart to make their sound unique, especially coming out of a scene like the indie-sound-leaning Brooklyn one. Check them out live July 12 at Mercury Lounge. – Lily Crandall
