KP Hawthorn: "Til The Glitter End" (2025) CD Review

KP Hawthorn is known for her work in The HawtThorns, a husband-and-wife duo who released their first album in 2019, when they were based in Los Angeles. A move to Nashville and two more albums followed, including last year's Zero Gravity. Now she is releasing a new solo album, the playfully titled Til The Glitter End. This is her first solo album under the name KP Hawthorn, though she did release two solo albums years ago under the name Kirsten Proffit (2006's Lucky Girl and 2012's My Devotion). Following those earlier two solo albums, she had a group called Calico The Band, that band releasing Rancho California in 2014 and Under Blue Skies in 2017. On Til The Glitter End, KP Hawthorn revisits songs from those two Calico The Band albums. And though it's a solo album, Johnny Hawthorn does join her on electric guitar. Also joining her are Ted Pecchio on upright bass and Chris Benelli on drums and percussion. There are also a couple of special guests.

The album opens with "Fool's Gold," a song that was originally on Rancho California, and the differences are apparent right from the start. Gone are those "Ba ba-ba ba" vocals at the beginning. There is a more intimate vibe to this new version, and KP delivers a beautiful vocal performance. "How did I ever let you let go of me/When I was trying to get a hold of something I can't see/Reflections always seem to fade." I love the new life of this song. It feels just right. "High Road" also comes from Rancho California, where it was the lead track. There is a good energy to this track, and a very cool sound with that solid rhythm. "My honor is deep in my bones/My word is my truth," she sings here. Ah, don't we wish that were the case with those in positions of leadership? Listen to the way she delivers these lines: "The high road is the only road I know/Down this trail, I watch the world below." I like the way she gives each word emphasis on "Down this trail," letting each word hit before delivering the next, a different delivery from the earlier version. Something else that makes this new rendition special is the presence of the great Rosie Flores on electric guitar. And she delivers some delicious stuff, just as you'd expect her to.

"Roll Away The Stone" is a song that was originally on Under Blue Skies. The intro is shorter here than on the earlier version. I love the passionate vocal performance on this new version. This track features some really nice percussion too. This song was written by KP, Manda Mosher and Ted Russell Kamp. "Everybody knows the face of darkness/Nothing but your mind to tell you lies/Caught up in the echoes of the silence/You’re not alone/Roll away, roll away, roll away that stone." That's followed by "The Runaway Cowgirl (Ballad Of Ginger And Danny)." There is some pretty guitar work at the beginning, and this track contains a moving vocal performance. Tracks like this one really show KP's wonderful vocal ability, the great appeal of her voice. It's a song that tells a story of vivid characters, opening with these lines: "She said she'd never fall in love/'Cause maybe it'd hurt too much/Daddy never stuck around/Mama never had enough/Ginger was a working girl." And check out these lines: "Sometimes you get lucky/Sometimes you find grace/Sometimes love is just/A truck stop away." The original version of this song was on Rancho California.

"San Andreas Shake" is another cool number that moves with a undeniable force. "One more sweet disaster/Everywhere I turn/This earthquake shadows me/All the way to San Joaquin." I'm digging that beat. There is also a nice guitar lead. And this version does have that interesting section in the second half: "Shake/Crack/Pow/Boom, boom, boom" (which reminds me just a bit of that moment from "Cell Block Tango" from Chicago). That's followed by "Come To Me," a song that comes from Under Blue Skies. This new version begins with drums, then eases in, developing a sweet vibe. "Restless minds, we run into each other’s arms/And we try to forget the ones who came before/You still wear around your neck the hands of time gone by/They won’t ease their grip until you say goodbye/Take your time/Come to me when the heartbreak’s over /And your feelings for her/All fade away." This song is beautiful and uplifting. "We'll never get where we're going if you can't let go." I love how she is gently urging a person to move on, while also saying she's here for that person.

The original version of "Break Your Heart" began with the first several lines delivered a cappella (well, with some finger snaps) before kicking in. It's one of my personal favorites from Rancho California. This new version also begins a cappella, but just the first line, before it kicks in. As on the original version, this one includes a very cool bass line. And here we get a fantastic vocal performance. This song is just so damn good. Check out that excellent guitar work in the second half. Wow. And listen to that assured, determined delivery of the final line. That's followed by "The Lone Ranger," another song from Rancho California. There is a haunting aspect to this one. "But I made myself a promise/Not to regret what I can't change." Oh, the way she delivers that line about not regretting! Yes, this track features yet another excellent vocal performance. The album concludes with its one cover, Led Zeppelin's "Going To California," which was not included on either Calico The Band album. This is a beautiful rendition, done as a duet with Johnny Hawthorn. Special guest Sav Madigan (of The Accidentals) delivers some wonderful work on violin on this track. There is also some excellent guitar work during the instrumental section.

CD Track List

1. Fool's Gold
2. High Road
3. Roll Away The Stone
4. The Runaway Cowgirl (Ballad Of Ginger And Danny)
5. San Andreas Shake
6. Come To Me
7. Break Your Heart
8. The Lone Ranger
9. Going To California

Til The Glitter End is scheduled to be released on September 12, 2025 on Mule Kick Records.