motel void

At first glance, based on their promotional photos, Upside of Maybe might seem a bit ‘regular’—especially to someone like me, who enjoys visiting North America and envisions it as a land where similarly styled bands playing American country/rock music can be found on every corner. However, Upside of Maybe has much more to offer.

One thing that immediately caught my attention was how the band presents itself as family-friendly and openly expresses their love for their small hometown (I’m from a similar small city myself and still love it as well…) of Stratford, Ontario. Stratford is a city of about 30,000 residents, situated along the Avon River. While it’s best known for its world-famous Stratford “Shakespeare” Festival and as the hometown of Justin Bieber, Upside of Maybe brings their own artistic identity into the mix.

From the very first notes of “Boys from the North” I was taken by surprise. The track features modern production with elements of rap—an unexpected twist that immediately sets them apart from traditional country-folk bands. But my favorite tracks were yet to come.

As I continued listening, one of the strongest moments for me came with the single “All Because of a Girl”. This track leans toward a rock-infused country sound, reminiscent of Drive-By Truckers. A catchy chorus and an instantly memorable riff make it stand out, and I can easily imagine this song becoming a fan favorite at their live shows.

Then came the album’s biggest surprise—“Hard Sun”. The name instantly brought back memories of Eddie Vedder and his iconic contribution to the Into the Wild soundtrack. And as it turned out, this was a cover of that very song! This version is absolutely stunning, capturing the emotional depth of the original while adding their own touch. With its stripped-down piano arrangement and rich vocal delivery, this cover fully showcases Upside of Maybe’s musical craftsmanship. The atmosphere transports me straight into the world of the film, alongside Emile Hirsch and Kristen Stewart. The song builds to an epic finale, and I have to say—this folk-influenced side of the band is where they shine the most.

The album then takes a turn with the intense “Axeman of New Orleans”, followed by the high-energy rock track “The Girl’s Got Rhythm”. “(I Don’t Want) The Sun To Go Down” brings another dose of rap-infused sound, adding even more variety to the mix.

Finally, the closing track, “Revel Café”, emerges as a standout—especially with its beautiful violin accompaniment. In my opinion, it’s these heartfelt, slower songs where Upside of Maybe truly excels.

A strong album—I have to say, the quieter, more emotional moments resonate with me the most. That being said, I understand that, especially for their dynamic live shows, the band needs to have some rockier tracks in their catalog as well.

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