Cory Chisel & Adriel Denae Shape Sweet Melodies on ‘Tell Me True’ (ALBUM REVIEW)

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Whether you know Cory Chisel from his last record, 2012’s Old Believers, or from his more recent stint as one third of the super group Traveller (with Robert Ellis and Johnny Fritz), or whether you’ve never heard of him at all, his music is worth your time. Chisel and his partner, Adriel Denae have collaborated on a stunning set of songs for their new record Tell Me True. An ode to their romance and to their life together as parents, artists, touring musicians, Tell Me True is a quietly beautiful release.

Both Chisel and Denae are impressive singers. Chisel has the kind of warm rasp that seems to get more beautiful the more he pushes it, and Denae’s is pure and angelic. Together they are so delicate in their harmonies. The songs on Tell me True feel deeply personal to them, like little love letters to the imperfections of familial life. “Spend it All” is that old we-ain’t-got-much-but-we-got-all-we-need idea and the duo does it masterfully, keeping in perfect harmony from start to finish. “Four bowls for feeding ourselves/No cupboard doors on the kitchen shelves/Four sets of silverware/And cigarettes/I think we still got two,” they sing, sweetly making the argument that everything is better together. It is a detailed account of the comforts of home, even when it’s nothing fancy.

“Hard Leaving Love” has an infectious guitar melody that gets even better with repeated listens, and title track “Tell Me True” is an earthy beauty about doing whatever it takes to make love work. The latter is a particularly standout showing of the ways their voices play off each other, and a near perfect love song. And “Well Beyond Your Years” may be the album’s most crucial song. It’s a lovely, well-wishing coming of age song with buoyant horns and a message to “stay healthy/be well” no matter what life throws your way. Judging from this gorgeous record, these two are taking their own advice.