There have been several timeless duets that have left a lasting mark. Whether it’s Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks, Americana darlings Buddy and Julie Miller, or the late Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris, there is an intangible quality in their duets that is mesmerizing. Now, Sterling, Virginia-based musician Drew Gibson has created "Burning Horses," a stunning new single featuring Maddi Mae, found on Gibson’s charming new album of the same name.
Gibson says the single was inspired by a startling and unnerving image while watching a recap of an episode of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. “It represents the heavy machine of industrialization,” Gibson explains about the song’s genesis. “There was this scene in the Amazon Prime show where a horse, engulfed in flames, is running away. I was watching a breakdown of the episode on YouTube, and the commentator mentioned the burning horse and how [author J.R.R.] Tolkien was against industrialization. It clicked with me. That’s where I got the idea for the album theme, the album title, and the title track. The irony of this isn’t lost on me.”
"Burning Horses," written by Gibson, opens with an accordion flourish courtesy of Brian Simms before the rugged, rootsy gem takes center stage. Gibson and Mae sing the opening verse together, evoking the magic of iconic duets like Petty and Nicks' "Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around." The song finds its groove early, with Mae delivering haunting backing vocals near the homestretch. Bassist Kevin De Souza and drummer Ben Tufts lock into a tight rhythm pocket, while pedal steel guitarist Dave Hadley accents the track perfectly. Gibson’s electric guitar and synth work remain subtle yet emerge at key moments. While few songs rival the Parsons-Harris classic "Love Hurts," "Burning Horses" certainly comes close.
As the title track from Gibson’s fifth studio album, Burning Horses was four years in the making. Like many musicians, Gibson spent much of the pandemic crafting new material, which eventually found its way onto the album. “I recorded a lot of the guitars, keyboards, synths, some bass, and pedal steel in my home studio,” Gibson shares. “It started that way because of Covid. Before, I would usually hand off guitar solos to my pedal steel player, Dave Hadley, or keyboardist, Brian Simms. This time, I decided, ‘You know what? I can do more.’ So I did.”
Gibson says the album’s creative process began intentionally in his basement studio. As the world underwent massive changes, Gibson found himself yearning for simpler times. “Everything now feels so connected, so tech-driven, and hectic,” he reflects. “I miss the simple days of biking through the woods, going to a record store, and spending more communal time with family. Sometimes, it feels like I’m on a different planet, homesick for a more romantic time. That’s what this album is about—a different time.”
Burning Horses, co-produced by Gibson and Marco Delmar (who also mixed and co-engineered the album), features 10 songs, nine of them written by Gibson. The lone exception, "Gunslinger," was co-written with Paul Curreri. Gibson’s guitar work often recalls Mark Knopfler, particularly on roots-rock cuts like "What Good Friends We Were" and "From Our Front Porch," which also evokes Ray LaMontagne. Elsewhere, Gibson showcases intricate fingerpicking reminiscent of Bruce Cockburn on "How the Border Town Was Born" and "Low Country, High Wire," the latter elevated by Mae’s spine-tingling harmonies. The closing cinematic instrumental, "The Long Good Night: Part II," blends the mysticism of Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour with the elegance of Daniel Lanois.
The album, which also features bassist Jon Nazdin and drummer Eric Selby, was recorded across multiple studios, including Sterling, Virginia’s Letterbox Studio, the Recording Arts in Arlington, Virginia, and Ivakota Studios in Washington, D.C. Gibson, Delmar, Tufts, and Ben Green served as co-engineers, while Mike Monseur at Nashville’s Axis Audio mastered the record.
Burning Horses marks Gibson’s fifth studio effort, following his 2007 debut Letterbox, 2011’s The Southern Draw, 2015’s 1532, and 2019’s Shipbuilder. His critically acclaimed work has been featured in publications such as USA Today, No Depression, and The Washington Post. He has also performed at notable venues like The Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia.
Now, with a new album and the lead single "Burning Horses," Drew Gibson is poised to offer a captivating blend of roots rock and Americana to audiences everywhere. It’s a signature track from what is sure to be a standout album.
