Lover's Game

The War and Treaty

Released on 3/10/23 by UMG Nashville
Main artists: The War and Treaty
Genre: Country

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Michael Trotter, Jr. and Tanya Trotter—aka The War and Treaty—harmonize, yes, but it's not about trying to sound as one. Instead, this married couple from Michigan (now taking Nashville by storm) let their powerhouse voices do their own thing, snaking, entwining and supporting, but never blending into the background. Their major-label debut opens with a jolt: "Lover's Game" is a freight train, a thunderstorm, horses running wild. An incineration of Southern rock, country and blues that effortlessly evokes Ike & Tina. It's also a hoot: "Margarita, hot chicken, strawberry wine/ Looking for your lovin' to be mine, all mine." But there are lots of more traditional spiritual moments here, too, with talk about earthbound angels and living well now to earn a good afterlife. They have plenty to be grateful for. In 2017, Michael—who served in Iraq, as a soldier in the U.S. Army's 6th Infantry Regiment—was so weighed down by PTSD that he thought about ending his own life. Tanya, and their music, saved him. Now, they are celebrating the fruits of hard work, touring with the likes of Chris Stapleton, collaborating with Brandi Carlile and Elvis Costello, and winning devoted followers and accolades. Of the dusky ballad "Ain't No Harmin' Me" Michael has said, "[it] reminds us that no matter what troubles are waiting around the corner … the power of love will pull us through. We wrote this together as a personal testament to ourselves … we aren't afraid to face the hard times knowing we have the other by our side." His voice is so rich, with the slightest five o'clock shadow of huskiness, on "Blank Page," which blends gospel organ from Philip Towns and Joe Walsh-esque soulfulness. "You're a blank page/ Hoping for a love story," he croons before putting every cell in his body into the next line: "I let my blood be my ink/ So, you know that this song is from me." "Yesterday's Burn" is simple, old-school Charley Pride country. "The Best That I Have" is smooth '80s-inspired adult-listening R&B soul (and gives Michael a chance to show off his chill-inducing falsetto). The Southern rock gospel number "Have You A Heart" stirs the spirit in a way that few have done since Ray Charles. And while the duo insist that their success has been "Dumb Luck," it's so much more than just that. "High times, late nights/ Staring into starry eyes/ High heels, big deals/ Rock me like a wagon wheel," Tanya sings on that song. "I served mankind, jail time/ Belly full of humble pie," Michael replies. And if this one isn't a hit at country radio, something's seriously wrong. © Shelly Ridenour/Qobuz

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Lover's Game

The War and Treaty

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Lover's Game