By 2025, Charles Wesley Godwin had become a household name in the folk-leaning side of modern country music. Since his debut album, Seneca, Charles has gradually gained respect for his deeply poetic writing, which is found in songs like “Seneca Creek” and “Cranes of Potter,” which have resonated with fans for the better part of a decade. In his career, each of Godwin’s albums served as a collection of great songs that felt like a glimpse into the mind of a true artist.
On February 28th, Charles released his new EP, Lonely Mountain Town, which features six new original songs and a cover. Known for his storytelling prowess, he has crafted a project that, while not as thematically heavy as songs like “Jesse,” still showcases his lyrical sharpness. Impactful phrases and clever lyrics are sprinkled throughout, making the listening experience more rewarding for those who pay close attention. A good example is in “Then I’m Gone” when Charles describes his career as “Preaching gospel neon songs.”
If quality lyrics are what sell you on a song, there’s a good chance you will like Lonely Mountain Town as a whole. However, if you are looking for the upbeat side of Godwin that brought you “Hardwood Floors” and “Family Ties,” you’ll have to wait. The liveliest track here is ‘It’s The Little Things,’ the second song on the EP, which does feature a full band. After that, the project shifts to a stripped, downtempo lull, leaving behind the fuller production, which is a shame because songs like “It’s Her Move” feel like they were written with a much bigger production in mind.
One surprise on the project is “Dead To Rights” with ERNEST, who also co-wrote the song. It’s weird seeing Charles, the shy and mysterious mountain man, pair up with Ern, who leans more towards a revived 90s country sound and is best friends with Morgan Wallen. Sonically, the collaboration works, but it doesn’t feel as natural as a feature from someone like Tyler Childers would. With Godwin and ERNEST signed to Big Loud, this team-up was bound to happen.
The other feature on this project comes from Scott Avett of The Avett Brothers, who joins Godwin on a cover of “Hammer Down.” The song, originally written by Jason Molina and released with his band Magnolia Electric Co., adds a unique touch to the EP, although it feels like an underwhelming conclusion. After a run of slow, acoustic tracks, this cover feels anticlimactic. Although Scott and Godwin sound great together, the song feels irrelevant to the EP, missing an opportunity for a more meaningfully written closer.
When releasing any project, things like cover art, tracklists, and careful rollout are vital to an artist’s success. With some fair warning, a listener can go into Lonely Mountain Town expecting a more intimate compilation without being disappointed at a lack of energy. The cover art for the EP doesn’t add any extra flair and appears a little boring compared to his previous album covers. Although this release has strengths and features lots of great songwriting, fans wonder how long they’ll have to wait for another project like Seneca or How The Mighty Fall.
While Lonely Mountain Town is a strong showcase of Godwin’s songwriting, it doesn’t bring much that fans haven’t already heard. These songs serve as a nice holdover, but the wait continues for those hoping for another truly era-defining album.
