Courtney Marie Andrews has managed to sum up the state of the world in three words: “Cons and Clowns”. It’s bad enough when we encounter confidence tricksters and misguided fools in our everyday lives, but when we elevate them to positions of power, the situation becomes well-nigh hopeless. Fortunately, though, the ever-optimistic Ms Andrews was not downhearted when she wrote this “ode to all the artists, outsiders, and shy loved ones you want to see shine!”.

With a desire to embody the unencumbered playfulness of youth, I played the flute on this track, an instrument I haven’t played since my childhood.

Courtney Marie Andrews, on bandcamp.

This is one of two tracks released ahead of Courtney’s 10th album, Valentine, which comes out on 16th January 2026. The single is a really nice guitar-based piece of pop/folk/country music. With a polished production mixing in a little piano, flute and vocal harmonies, it is fully qualified for the tag of “universal appeal”.

Courtney Marie Andrews will be on tour in the UK in February, moving on to Europe and then the U.S. in March. Full tour details are on her website. If you are tempted to go, please be careful not to be taken in by the cons and clowns known as “ticket touts”.