Paula Fong - A Bird On The Wing
Self-released
****1/2
If you’re looking for a batch of solid tunes to check out, look no further than this debut album from Los Angeles-based Paula Fong. It’s kind of a back-porch voyage, one that manages to dip back into the well of country-folk music and pull forth shades of its essence that we still haven’t quite uncovered yet. Though her dedication to traditional form is apparent throughout, Paula also delights in throwing in the occasional contemporary vibe, while still exuding the emotions and enthusiasm that gives the material the emphasis it deserves. She isn’t trying to sound like anyone else, and this isn’t simply another attempt at making music of another era. Instead, she conjures up a classic sound that feels distinctly fresh and modern while also breaking your heart with the emotion she exudes. Whether she’s describing an exhausting yet riveting lifestyle and then finding release and freedom by just driving off down the road or delivering a sad yet relatable narrative of the uncertainty that comes with heartache, Paula’s affable personality shines through her compelling songwriting—that is refreshingly honest.
Love’s misfortunes unleash a dark tide of regret, self-pity, and grim fatalism with a reflective Peace Of Mind, then the upbeat and effusive Up And Out make it clear that the sentiments shift throughout. Paula’s sing-song vocals are captivating when nearly whispered as with Lessons On Listening, with a gorgeous pastoral lushness and wonder that is totally captivating. A Bird On The Wing is a truly beautiful song with a wondrous piano accompaniment that extolls the magic behind the creativity of a song and how uplifting it can become. The a cappella opening of the traditionally slanted Pretty Red Bird, develops smoothly into a bluegrass flavoured arrangement with neat interplay between fiddle and banjo and delightful harmonies.
Clearly, Paula’s love of bluegrass and old-time music, with all their purity and purpose, is even more evident with the jaunty Goodbyes. Powered by the sound of a fiddle-driven front-porch band, she paints a positive outlook on relationship changes and grief and how the darkness never really lasts forever. Music born out of despair and loss has rarely been as exhilarating as this. She is joined by Sean Watkins on guitar and vocal for her revival of the timeless classic Turn, Turn, Turn, offering up a message of optimism that we all could use right now. Even if you don’t know Pete Seeger’s original or the more familiar Byrds’ rendition, this new version is sure to please. The song that has made the greatest impact on me though, is What Are We Running From. She sings over a steady and rolling guitar line, her voice rising and falling like the moon, equal parts mournful and reverential. An escapism song that I can so easily relate to; the freedom of just getting in a car and driving to forget all of life’s troubles. No longer able to drive for the past five years, I so miss that opportunity to just drive far and fast without a care in the world. The players are terrific. The gorgeous pedal steel is passionate and graceful, while various twangy guitars add an earthy note.
On this startlingly good debut, Paula Fong stakes out a new name and a new style, finding a voice that perfectly fits the moment. Alongside her skilled studio players, she presents vivid storytelling and timeless sounds that should establish her as a new talent worth knowing. Be on the lookout for more from this impressive singer-songwriter.
September 2026