Good Morning Sunshine (Blackbird, 2025)

The Portland, Ore.-based Ashleigh Flynn & The Riveters are an all-female band plying "rock and roll with twang." While most of these tracks present a dynamic, carefree approach, the band prides itself on messages of hope and resilience as they aim to uplift marginalized voices and bring unity.

The music merges a number of influences from bluegrass, soul and rock. One minute they're ripping off rockers, and in the next, they may settle into a lilting country ballad. The pulsating "Drunk in Ojai" opens, a tale about night that got out of control with two Riveters backing Flynn's lead over a bed of churning guitar, organ and harmonica. The stomping title track, inspired by a awestruck sunrise in the Columbia River Gorge, is steeped in themes of self-discovery and healing as Conlee pounds the piano blissfully. "Deep River Hollow" is a slice of driving twang while "Love Is an Ember" epitomizes the band's pensive side, emotive storytelling bathed in sweet harmonies and country instrumentation.

The band is well attuned to nature, as "Tilly Jane Ridge" is an ode to resilience, written during a hike through a forest recovering from a wildfire. Luca's incisive telecaster is the perfect complement to Flynn's potent vocal. The band's bent for inclusiveness is on display in the cover "Shake the Stranger," a tribute to queer country pioneer Patrick Haggerty of Lavender Country, who was a friend to the band. "Eye on the Light" is short dose of bluegrass featuring Claire's fiddle and Fountain's harmonica. They close out with the rambling "Bird in a Cage" and embrace old school, fiddle-driven country in the galloping closer "Don't Leave Me Lonesome."

Most of these 11 songs are written by Flynn or band member and producer, the band's guitarist Nancy Luca. In one sense, beyond the lead vocalist Flynn and Luca, the band is a revolving collective, but these musicians appear: Carmen Paradise (bass), Leila Chicko (drums), Jenny Conlee of The Decemberists (piano and organ), Kathyrn Claire (violin, harmony vocals) and Kat Fountain (vocals and harmonica).

Ashleigh Flynn & The Riveters keep the joyous music flowing throughout.