“It feels like a resurrection,” frontman/songwriter Ben Kyle says of Shadowlands, Romantica’s fourth album and first new release in seven years. Shadowlands was released on Last Chance Records in the US and At The Helm Records in The UK in February 2017.

Indeed, the emotion-charged set marks a creative rebirth for the sprawling Minnesota-based ensemble, with Kyle’s evocative vocals and vivid songwriting illuminated by his bandmates’ organic instrumental rapport. Romantica’s lush, melodic songcraft has won considerable attention in the Americana/alt-country community, but the Irish-born Kyle’s unique perspective resists easy categorization. While the band’s personnel has shifted and evolved over the years, its unique musical vision has remained consistent.

Kyle formed Romantica with some like-minded locals. Within a few months, the band had signed with a local indie label and released its 2004 debut It’s Your Weakness That I Want, which received substantial regional attention, winning a Minnesota Music Award as Best Americana Album. 2007’s America raised Romantica’s profile considerably, winning widespread national acclaim. 2009’s Control Alt Country Delete was an audacious experiment, recorded on the cheap in a single day following a successful stand at Austin’s South by Southwest music festival.

During Romantica’s extended hiatus, Kyle released a self-titled solo album as well as a collaborative effort with Carrie Rodriguez, pointedly titled We Still Love Our Country.

“Romantica has done more than pick up where it left off, it has grown wiser. The new record is a hallelujah from the mountaintop, country soul in the truest sense.” – Minnesota Monthly

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