Lily Meola, Jamesy Johnson dominates the duo of “Never Want to Change This Change”

Over her more than a decade of career, Lily Meola has carved a niche that isn't really a niche. Just like this year Postcard to heaven EP, a Hawaiian-born singer-songwriter floating between the modern country and Willowy Pop. But, starting with her first mentor, Willie Nelson, she also has a powerful Jones: She plays with Nelson and Kris Kristofferson duets and plays on farm aid. Her new single is a duet, and there is another, even higher official traditionalist, Jamesy Johnson.

Lyrically speaking, “never want to change that change” is part of a pop music or country tradition: a song about the momentary connection between two people, probably destined to end, and then they both want it. Meola said in a statement that it was inspired by “when you meet someone who makes you want to freeze your time, you get the feeling so that you can live with them forever. They have this particular impact on you, melting all your worries while giving you the craziest butterflies.”

But the song itself (written by Meola, Melissa Fuller and Ben West) is the heartbreaking person in a real slow-burning sedan. Meola and Johnson trade verses before her smooth emotional voice, plus his rude tone, blend the chorus: “I have a good attitude toward the seasons, snow and rain/rain/moon and its phases, pouring waves/I know there is no reason to stay the same/but I never want this to change.” It's a voice that longs to capture for more than three minutes.

“Never Want to Change This Change” is a belated follow-up to the duo's last recorded duo, a remake of “Baby It's Cold” recorded in 2014. In a statement, Johnson said he was always aware of Meola's eclectic way: “While she is a great pop singer, musically she reminds me of a jazz-like singer. But even Johnson admits he's stuck with her new songs and the deep country. “I really didn't expect that, even after I heard her other songs,” he said. This surprised me. ”

There is no news about “Never Want to Change That Change” yet, it will appear on a new album in Meola's process, but the song is another example of Johnson's reappearance. Last fall, he released Midnight gasolineIt was his first new material album in 14 years, and he connected with Oliver Anthony on stage several times on stage with Oliver Anthony in the Culture's “Richmond North”.

Starting Tuesday in Phoenix and continuing the show at Quincy, Washington, Meola on May 25 – his performances at this year’s luck party – will once again be on the Outlaw Music Festival tour with Nelson, Bob Dylan, Billy Strings, Sierra Hull, Sierra Hull and (in several shows) on the Outlaw Music Festival tour. Johnson began his summer journey on June 4 in Wichita, Kansas.