(February 16, 2023) She may be the most talked about young artist on our pages over the past few years, including being voted as the “New Artist Of The Year” in the SoulTracks Readers’ Choice Awards by our readers. And all with good reason: Acantha Lang has the whole package, as a singer and songwriter with a keen sense of music history and a commitment to taking no shortcuts in creating memorable, musically rich songs.
We’ve been blessed to hear one great single after another from Acantha over the past three years, and now as she readies her debut full album, Beautiful Dreams (April 14), we have another treat for SoulTrackers: “Ride This Train” bears the Memphis vibe that runs through much of Acantha’s music, and doesn’t spare on the instrumentation, moving among the cool opening keyboards, a hot rhythm section and full-bodied horns. And of course, up front are the rich vocals of Acantha Lang, leading us through the musical tale of a woman who is ready to take the step to follow her dreams and “ride this train all the way to the end.” It tells Acantha’s own story of her move from her hometown of New Orleans to Harlem, where she began her career ascent.
Both as an inspirational invitation and simply as a great southern soul song, “Ride This Train” is another winner from an artist who is hitting on all cylinders. And we’re proud that it is our Song of the Month. Check it out below and welcome Acantha Lang back to SoulTracks.
By Chris Rizik
Song of the Month
Acantha Lang – “Ride This Train”
