Erik Rabasca - New Scrolls

​Erik Rabasca

New Scrolls
self-released; 2026

​TOP ALBUM

​By ​Dino DiMuro​​​

Connecticut folk-country artist Erik Rabasca has just released a new album on Highest Frequency Records titled New Scrolls. The label correctly describes it as "a rootsy voyage through country, folk & swing where classic roadhouse grit meets intimate storytelling while touching the cosmos. Drawing on the lyrical spirit of Dylan, Marley and John Prine, New Scrolls shares hard-earned wisdom with weary optimism."

Rabasca already has a track record under his previous performing name Light Warriors, opening for multi-Grammy winner Jon Batiste at his Alive at Five concert appearance, as well as Mike Farris, SOJA and Easy Star All Stars. His new music aims to "step fully into the acoustic spotlight: stripped back, road-worn and right where he belongs."

Rabasca of course plays guitars and sings, but he also adds keys and bass. When he's got room he welcomes his studio band, including JP Geoghegan (drums), Bobo Lavorgna (bass) and a host of backing singers. The tracks were mostly recorded at Highest Frequency Studio in Lyons, Colorado, with mastering by Davey Diamonds at the Colorado Recording Society.

"Wise UP" opens with a classic country shuffle, similar in structure to Kenny Rogers' "The Gambler" and has a similar theme about getting caught up in the moment and "failing to see the suffering made by their own desires... how they've lost control within." Rabasca plays most of the jangly stringed instruments, with guest Yako Prodis on bass. "Foolin' Yourself" slows down into a reflective folk mode, though the slide and lap steel always edge us back into county. Lyrically Rabasca does remind me of John Prine, though perhaps a touch less edgy and more of an "everyman." 

"First Time Before" marks the entry of Denise Jones on backing vocals from now to the end. This is a train-tempo excursion celebrating new loves or experiences with almost giddy vocal abandon (like a young and energetic Dylan) and a Johnny Cash-like lead break. "Rituals, Lies & Sin" is a harder-edged rocker with a list of grievances we can all share ("I don't want to go to work today / Lining someone's stocks with my blood / I don't want to go to war / No one truly lives in the end"). "Come All Ye Faithful" is not a Christmas carol but has a sweet and reverential tone with just acoustics and strings, plus heavenly harmonies from Denise Jones. 

"Love Resounds" is perhaps my favorite track for its rich arrangement, crystalline guitars and (again) amazing harmonies. The final song is a live track "Try A Little Kindness" featuring The Connecticut Hope Collective: Shandy Lawson (mandolin), Brian Larney (organ) and Lys Guillorn, Chandra & Muddy Rivers (backing vocals). No, this is not that Glen Campbell song, nor is it "Try A Little Tenderness" but I daresay it's almost as good as both those classics.

Americana and country and even folk lovers may well love these songs by Eric Rabasca!

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