The Order Of Time Valerie June

• 1Long Lonely Road03:56
• 2Love You Once Made03:37
• 3Shakedown02:46
• 4If And03:31
• 5Man Done Wrong03:07
• 6The Front Door04:15
• 7Astral Plane03:39
• 8Just In Time03:51
• 9With You02:43
• 10Slip Slide On By04:04
• 11Two Hearts03:53
• 12Got Soul04:13
• Total Runtime43:35

Info for The Order Of Time

Valerie June has been making her distinct blend of plaintive folk traditionals, Southern soul, and country blues for more than a decade, but it wasn’t until her 2013 breakthrough Pushin’ Against A Stone that she established herself as one of the most promising roots synthesizers of her generation.

On her latest album, The Order Of Time, June continues to progress and advance as a songwriter, vocalist and arranger. This time, the singer’s Memphis influences have never been more pronounced; indeed, the running highlight of June’s latest effort is her complete mastery of the mid-tempo soul ballad. On songs like “Slip Slide On By,” “Love You Once Made,” and the feel-good closing rave “Got Soul,” June sets her slow-building R&B to swelling horn sections that recall peak-era James Carr and O.V. Wright. Unlike many of her Americana peers, June never needs to call attention to her own vocal theatrics nor rely on tent-revival affectation when channeling mid-late 60’s R&B, instead grounding her material in the flexibility and dynamics of her stunning, quivering warble.

Musically, June has refined and expanded her sound on the new album finding space from her previous work in its artful, self-assured restraint and overall cohesion. The collection’s finely sketched character studies brim with richness and detail while June’s ethereal, wide-open soundscapes provide a sterling backdrop for her remarkable Southern gospel and honey voice. Lyrical touch points such as ‘dancing shadows,’ ‘hot suppers,’ ‘curious neighbors,’ and ‘holy water’ draw the listener in and root these songs with density and weight.

The “inevitability of change” and “time as the ruler of Earth’s rhythm,” is the album’s foundation, explains June. “And the knowledge that with resilience and faith things can work out.”

“Long Lonely Road” is a reflective and somber lament as June’s voice reverberates over ringing guitar and unhurried drums, whereas the entrancing blues of “If And” internalizes regret in the face of time’s relentless churn. On the spiritual “Astral Plane,” June’s mystical vocal takes an otherworldly turn, while the sumptuous string arrangement on “With You,” is reminiscent of Nico’s most affecting work. “Shake Down” and “Love You Once Made” sparkle with background vocal contributions from her father and brothers.

The Order of Time follows June’s 2013 breakout album, Pushin’ Against a Stone that established her as one of America’s “most intriguing, fully formed new talents” according to the New York Times. She garnered praise from NPR, “a singular performer” and New York Magazine, “a powerful singer and a blunt, bruising songwriter.” June also made memorable appearances on The Late Show with David Letterman, CONAN, CBS Saturday Morning, Rachael Ray, and Austin City Limits. She has toured with Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings and Sturgill Simpson, and performed at Newport Folk Festival, Carnegie Hall, and much more.

Valeria June
Blending folk, soul, blues, and Appalachian elements into a timeless sound that sits outside any particular musical era, Valerie June stands in a long and storied line of unique Memphis performers.

The daughter of a brick cleaner and music promoter from West Tennessee, June took quickly to the roots styles in the area, teaching herself guitar and writing her own material.

She officially began performing with her husband as Bella Sun, but when the marriage fell apart, June left the south and began living the life of a gypsy street musician, playing for change in bus and subway stations up and down the West Coast. She eventually returned to Tennessee, settling in Memphis, where she slid right into the city's active music scene.

She added banjo and lap steel to her musical base, and she began to draw attention for her powerful performances, becoming a favorite at area folk festivals and workshops. She recorded two albums at Ardent Studios, but she really came into the national eye when she was featured in $5 Cover, an MTV web series created by Craig Brewer (Hustle & Flow, Black Snake Moan, Footloose).

With the break-out Pushin' Against a Stone, June has achieved international fame, with performances on Later… with Jools Holland, a stunning duet with Eric Church at the ACM Awards, a tour with Jake Bugg, spreads in top music and fashion magazines, and a sold-out show at Carnegie Hall.

Percolating somewhere between Dolly Parton and Billie Holiday, June has a stop-you-dead-in-your-tracks voice, the kind that grips your imagination and paints her Southern portraits in vivid detail. She calls it "organic moonshine roots music." We just call it awesome.

Booklet for The Order Of Time