Press

“Rebecca Pronsky addresses the struggles of a generation attempting to get by…over a propulsive beat and a wash of noirishly twangy guitars. Personal, anecdotal and emotional.” ~ NPR, SONG OF THE DAY

“Rebecca Pronsky has a voice that’s full of character, sensitive and rich, and her songs — many of which have a rare modern quality of being short and sharp —are stimulating and catchy.” ~ DAILY TELEGRAPH UK

“Part Stevie Nicks, part confessional troubadour, Pronsky sheds some of her Trad Americana skin on this outing, emerging as a cute but dark talent in the process. Atmospheric influences bring out the full range of her lean expressive vocalising and the songs boast depth and panache.” ~ DAILY MIRROR UK

“Pronsky is an allusive, poetic lyricist who isn’t interested in providing clear, linear meanings so much as impressions, dreams, and moods.” ~ ALL MUSIC GUIDE

“Rebecca Pronsky could probably sing the phone book and bring out subtle nuances in the listings with her penetrating voice. Her guitar-slinging husband Rich Bennett would throw in some rhythmic leads to bolster them too. The two of them, and a few friends, have been making beautiful music together on three albums (plus a few EPs and live disc) by using the best qualities of pure country and singer-songwriter styles.” ~ BLURT

“Stunning. Rebecca’s music was breathtaking. Like the raw, uninhibited talents of artists such as Ida Cox and Maria Muldaur, her presence on stage was near electric. Her voice was milk and honey…” ~ BIRMINGHAM MAIL UK

“(4 STARS) This is ‘proper’ country music, not the sort that harks back to the past, but the sort that’s urban as it is rural, not afraid to be sophisticated… Pronsky is the complete package: interpreter, writer, singer and (together with guitarist Rich Bennett, whose licks and leads are a critical part of the music) producer. A great way to start the year.” ~ MAVERICK

“(4 STARS) Some critics, it seems, have a hard time defining New York singer Rebecca Pronsky… But who cares, when the result is as brilliant as Only Daughter – a much darker but no less impressive follow-up to 2011’s Viewfinder.” ~ COUNTRY MUSIC PEOPLE

“(4 STARS) It’s Pronsky’s writing that invites such scope and she creates strong images with words she wraps in direct, easily digested melodies and sings with both warmth and steely conviction.” ~ HERALD SCOTLAND

“(4 STARS) “This collection of jaunty Americana proves to have the essential ingredients of being lyrically interesting and with hummable tunes sung with a voice malleable enough to ensure each of the ten songs has its own character.” ~ R2 UK (ROCK 2 REEL)

“(4 STARS) An album that avoids the usual country clichés. [Rich's] electric guitar does twang over her acoustic instrument and individualist lyrics to create a sense of style that travels the English-speaking world.” ~ THE SCOTSMAN

“This Brooklyn native should be a household name as far as we’re concerned. Day time play list on Radio 2 at least. Sigh, but alas, we are not in charge! ‘Viewfinder’ is a superb record by an accomplished musician – it’s obvious she’s playing music since the year dot … on track to become one of America’s foremost modern folk songstresses.”
~ RUTH BARNES, BBC 6 PICKS

“Slightly rough and raw; a twang complements dark lyrics masked by her honeyed voice.” ~ EUGENE REGISTER-GUARD

“The performance itself was sublime.  On stage in layers of cardigan and thick tights and boots on a freezing cold night, Rebecca was more than ably supported by guitarist and foil Rich Bennett.  His playing was a feature of the evening [and] provided a musical wash over proceedings that slotted perfectly with the imagery of Miss Pronsky’s lyrics.  Playing, lead, rhythm, wah wah you name it he could do it. Then Rebecca herself.  She has one of those voices that reaches deep into your soul as she draws you into her world.  …The audience didn’t really care what category she did or didn’t fit into.  They knew that that they had just witnessed a wonderful performance.” ~ NO DEPRESSION

“Keeps that yearning sound of love and loss burning strong. If Pronsky can draw comparisons to Neko Case (and she has), that has less to do with imitation than it does with her possession of another version of The Voice: a strong instrument that doesn’t need to over-emote since it projects with authority. A sense of economy filters through the whole album, as well. Some songs skillfully wrap up after two verses, knowing that one more would be too much; a couple use the circular trick of ending the song by singing the first line of a verse, leaving you dangling… Along with Pronsky’s pipes, guitarist Rich Bennett puts the trimmings on the music with a battery of echo drenched, twangy leads, which brings us back to the high lonesome texture to the music. These songs would sound pretty strong on their own, but Bennett’s attention to detail is what makes them really memorable. “The Wheel” ultimately becomes one of the album’s strongest tracks because its slow tempo and chord changes create a suspense that never fully resolves. All that dreamy reverb only helps the matter. Viewfinder has her poised to take off in a direction that could bring fans of good country music and songwriters together in her camp. Hopefully it’ll fall into the right hands.” (8/10) ~ BLURT

“(4 STARS) Viewfinder gives rein to Pronsky’s country leanings on a superbly crafted set of descriptive and atmospheric songs. With a jazz-trained voice that’s capable of delivering plenty of convincing emotion to her material, Pronsky’s performance stands head and shoulders above most of her contemporaries, especially in combination with her superlative writing skills. Pretty close to perfection, the whole package is nicely paced with a well-judged balance of subject matter that deals with the familiar themes of love and loss without recourse to cliche. An album that comes into sharper focus with each hearing. Viewfinder reveals Pronsky to be an outstanding lyricist with the ability to stop you in your tracks…” ~ R2 UK (ROCK 2 REEL)

“Rebecca Pronsky confidently straddles the boundaries of folk, rockabilly and country roots in order to create her own distinctive sound, which at times feels like The Smiths relocated to Nashville.” ~ ALLAN WILKINSON, NORTHERN SKY

“Viewfinder (Nine Mile), Rebecca Pronsky’s third full-length, gets off to a strong start with “Hard Times”; its galloping pace, brooding pedal steel and firm vocals set the tone for the darkness to come. But the disc’s first peak comes just a song later, with “Day of the Dead.” By the time she reaches the album’s other side, she’s been on the wrong end of a breakup, the wrong part of town and the wrong point of a love triangle. So when Viewfinder rolls to a close with the grateful, loping “Good Life,” you know she’s earned it.” ~ PHILADELPHIA CITY PAPER

“Most Americana-UK regulars will be familiar with the wonderful Rebecca Pronsky. Since bringing us her sound she has been talked about quite a lot around our site not to mention critics all over the globe. Pronsky’s new record ‘Viewfinder’ is out and shaking it all about, what a superb record it is too… ‘Viewfinder’ is music for the generation; largely a reflection of recession, war and loss and how it has affected our lives. However, to read between the lines and decipher the abstract and metaphorical content of her words is to take heart. She is an optimist. Her heart is strong but tender. Her words are at first disillusioned but then point to a better future, her melodies both exhilarating and haunting and her delivery immaculate… It’s clear that this lady’s crooning chords have been honed to perfection. And it’s not for the ipod shuffle setting either. Although there are potential hits at every turn something about the gradual unravelling of her perceptions makes this more of a start to finish in a comfy armchair listen, or indeed a dimly lit basement bar with a gin and tonic. Its thinking music while so many of her contemporaries remain background… Currently touring the UK (I caught her at Camden Town’s Green Note), it seems she is finally ready to take us by storm over here.” ~ AMERICANA UK

“A delightful discovery. Pronsky’s crystal-bright yet earthily sensuous voice and melodically alluring songcraft, the latter a shifting blend of country, blues, rock, folk and vintage jazz elements, at times recalled Nanci Griffith, Iris DeMent and kd lang in mood or nuance. Rich Bennett, on electric guitar, whose lean chords and riffs, by turns shimmery and squally, also evoked shades of The Doors, Morricone and classic rockabilly. A warmly personable way with her audience, interspersing songs drawn mainly from her new second album Viewfinder, completed an evening’s thorough enjoyment. ~ SUE WILSON, THE SCOTSMAN

“Her breezy blend of roots, country and jazz sounds pretty upbeat, but Pronsky’s lyrics are sometimes arrestingly dark.” ~ TIME OUT LONDON

“Very fine! Worth seeking out. I’m particularly impressed with Pronsky’s voice.” ~ IAIN ANDERSON – BBC RADIO SCOTLAND

“Don’t be fooled by the jaunty melodies; her lyrics are fairly intense. Very interesting indeed!” ~ DONAL BROUGHAN, RTÉ RADIO 1 IRELAND

“It’s quality! ‘Hard Times’ rocks along like a 50s honky tonk thing. ‘Aberdeen’, another fine tune. Definitely wanna keep an eye out for her.” ~ RALPH MCLEAN, BBC RADIO ULSTER

(4 STARS) “Her clear strong expressive vocals also have an appealing languorous feel that only seems to enhance the strength of these beautifully written songs. If not totally dark many of the songs are at least marked down with an air of gloom, although a beautiful gloom, fighting back against lifes kicks but with a realisation that all this is doing is just stemming the tide! Overall they almost give a nicely balanced down to earth view of life that seems quite realistic but without any great optimism, more in hope than anything else. Despite hailing from Brooklyn she seems to have come naturally to her rural earthy feeling music with it’s emotional flow and fluidity that seems, just as you think a little optimism might be about to be revealed, to hold back! People often describe particular artists music as being ‘real’ and this certainly is. In a strange way that slightly dark haunting feel of the album is made more so by it’s beautiful sounds of Rebecca’s exquisite vocals and the gorgeously tuneful lead guitar rather than it’s strong themes. An album of rare beauty that demands repeated listening sessions!” ~ AMERICAN ROOTS UK

“Rebecca Pronsky knows her way around a metaphor, and though residing in Brooklyn, she sings like she has Nashville in her blood. She can easily remind listeners of Neko Case, both in terms of her ability to belt the lyrics and the way she stands out above the sea of thoughtful women with guitars. The songs follow a tension-and-release set-up much like traditional country music, but her writing and that voice keep them from sounding standard. Pronsky seems the type of singer whose pipes can cut through the background noise at the bar and lure listeners to the stage, where her lyrics sustain interest for a whole set.” ~ PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER

“Brooklyn singer/songwriter Rebecca Pronsky shuffles through the dark territory where old-fashioned rock ’n’ roll, country, and folk come together. It’s roughly the same territory where Neko Case and Kelly Hogan operate, and any accusations of carpetbagging are shot down by both the conviction of her songs and the strength of her voice.” ~ METRO PULSE, KNOXVILLE

“Talented local folk-pop songsmith. Her writing is literate, passionate, and wry.” ~ TIME OUT NY

(4 STARS) “The opening track Hard Times sets the tone: a nice “twangy” guitar, a solid beat of an upright bass, and we are at a stroke 3,000 miles westward, not in New York, but California. In the eleven songs, along with her musical partner, multi-instrumentalist Rich Bennett, Pronsky paints a self portrait of an artist with a rich, albeit not exactly sunny, emotional life. In Fragile World sings “Across the street I had a friend / She moved away when I was 10/ and I never saw her again / So I learned that anything can end.” Not so smiley. This is reflected in the often equally gloomy, melancholic lyrics on the subdued Day Of The Dead, or swinging Aberdeen. Although a roots-like sound predominates, so does the use of other styles like rockabilly, jazz and ambient which makes me suspect that she sees herself less as a country artist and more as a singer-songwriter. …a beautiful album.” ~ HEAVEN MAGAZINE (Netherlands)

“Rebecca Pronsky’s music bobs along at a deceptively jaunty pace. For behind the full-on vocals are songs of the heart which delve deep into human emotions… Pronsky keeps her city girl attitude but swamps it with the kind of openness that a country cousin brings to town. And that is the background to the fine balancing act which gives latest album Viewfinder its wholesome but edgy feel. And much credit must be paid to twangy guitarist Rich Bennett who co-produced with Pronsky, for helping create a terrific sound… It’s the maturity of her writing and arrangements that sets Viewfinder in a field of its own.~ THE STAR, SHEFFIELD

“This is a record clearly defined by its treatment of mature topics – featuring a young vibrant vocal delivered by an old soul…. It is this soul-searching – both personal and yet universal – that ultimately keeps the album’s scope varied. Often these topics are tinged with a double meaning, perhaps relevant only to the singer: fleeting references to struggle and freedom, loss and gain, growth and war which all have their roots placed deeper than we may think upon a first listening.” ~ THE LINE OF THE BEST FIT

“Rebecca’s superb jazz–trained voice combines eloquently with the country twang and sweeping landscapes of songs, which, in their detail of relationships and breakdown, of anger, regret and love, call to mind Carolyn Mark and Neko Case. Rebecca Pronsky tours extensively, and has just wowed audiences on her UK shows. Can I ask that she make it back to the UK soon, please…” ~ CARL J., LEICESTER BANGS

“The field is awash with bright young things trying to make their way in the world of music. Occasionally someone comes along and tries doing it the old fashioned way by writing great songs, singing them well, playing live gigs and being genuine and real. One such person is Brooklyn’s self-styled indie-twang songstress, Rebecca Pronsky… Her music bounces along in jaunty manner and it’s not until you scrutinise the subject matter that you find that many are about not so cheerful subjects. Despite the sometimes, acerbic lyrics, the songs are from the heart and convey very human emotions… Her natural humour on live gigs engages audiences of all ages, drawing them in to really listen to what she has to say… So what can you expect from listening to this album? The style is eclectic with a mix of many easy-going lilts; 50’s honky-tonk, lounge jazz and indie riffs all with a wash of twang guitar. Viewfinder features her long time musical sidekick Rich Bennett who provides the twang guitar; his sound permeates the whole album. Think of The Shadows, Hank Marvin, and you’re on the right track, it’s more modern, smoother, with a beautiful deep tonality… It would be worth keeping Ms Pronsky on your radar and check out her music, you won’t be sorry. (8.4/10)” ~ LAYOUT MAGAZINE, BRISTOL

“Songwriter Rebecca Pronsky breezed in this week from New York City briefly stopping at the Inn at Lathones then on to Leith Folk Club. Her latest album Viewfinder (Nine Mile), released this week is a fine vehicle for her writing and classic folk voice quite unusual for a Brooklyn girl. ‘Fragile World’ highlights her range over simple acoustic backing. ‘Give Up Too Easily’ is an uptempo full band song, ‘Anything But Good’ reminds me of (a Harvest Moon) Neil Young with reverb guitar in a dusty hall and ‘Mercury News’ is refreshingly swing country — sweet Americana.” ~ FIFE FREE PRESS

“One of the finest singer-songwriter records of 2011. The opening song, “Hard Times,” is an instant attention-getter and country hit. It aptly introduces the album’s solid country influence and overall theme of lost innocence, cold reality, doubt and relationships.” ~ COMMON FOLK MUSIC

“Rebecca Pronsky veers away from country into something a bit more honky-tonk — a bit more classy without abandoning a certain twang that sounds more retro than redneck.” ~ CREATIVE LOAFING, CHARLOTTE

“What makes Rebecca an interesting artist, and ‘Viewfinder’ a fantastic disc, is the convincing way she moves between styles, the eleven songs here cover some ground, but the songwriting, her band, and especially her vocals make the transitions natural and seamless. An excellent album.” ~ FISHRECORDS.CO.UK

“On new release Viewfinder from Brooklyn-based (& Brown alum) Rebecca Pronsky, it’s the voice that time and again grabs attention over the course of its 11 tracks. It’s a supple instrument that Pronsky possesses that effortlessly ebbs and flows with the emotional tack of the songs, all but one an original, by the way. Viewfinder lands somewhere in that void between Americana and pop, oft-times taking its cue from the tremolo twang tones of guitarist Richard Bennett and at other times the singing of Ms. Pronsky.” ~ DAN FERGUSON, WRIU-FM 90.3

“There isn’t much on Rebecca Pronsky’s “Viewfinder” that hints of her Brooklyn origins. The opener, “Hard Times,” has a twangy, wide-open “Ghost Riders in the Sky” vibe, and the lyrics are pure country, her high, pure voice sailing over a pedal steel. A similar twang rumbles through “Mercury News.” It’s a song Pronsky turns into the soundtrack for a Sergio Leone film. In the strummy, acoustic “Fragile World,” Pronsky’s jazz training shines through, sounding something like a female Carlos Jobim. Other songs… drip with melancholy, and in Pronsky’s capable hands, that’s a good thing.” ~ BILLINGS GAZETTE

“If you’re any sort of a country music fan, the opening bars of Viewfinder will have you drooling with pleasure. There’s at least a couple of songs here, Hard Times is one and Aberdeen, with it’s driving bass line, is the other, which ought to pick up plenty of radio play – memorable and distinctive enough to ensure that she’s much better known by the end of the year. In her songs here there is a persistent air of loss of innocence, of being aware of becoming a grown-up. Whether it’s the financial collapse, the nation at war or the emotional growing up of learning to live with loss, this feels like the literate voice of a generation coming of age in the new millenium.” ~ JOHN DAVY, NO DEPRESSION / FLYIN SHOES REVIEW

“Songbird. With a brutal, cutting lyricism and a jazz trained voice, Ms. Pronsky is an act worth catching. Her latest EP, The Best Game in Town, [is] a lush combination of indie pop, Americana, folk and jazz.” ~ ITHACA TIMES

“She has her own unique sound… it grabs you and doesn’t let go. She’s got great songwriter qualities and her supporting band is excellent… Rebecca delivered such a great piece of music, that we are looking forward to her concert in Belgium and her upcoming album release.” ~ ROOTSTIME.BE

“An artist you should know about: sweet-voiced chanteuse Rebecca Pronsky. This little lady is a top-notch writer of poppy folk songs (or folky pop songs) that pack a powerful punch.” ~ STAR NEWS / CAPE FEAR MUSIC

“Listening to Rebecca Pronsky’s new EP, The Best Game in Town invokes probably the strongest feelings of western nostalgia you could possibly experience in the comfort of your Brooklyn home. Despite her NY roots, her passionate vocals and textured sandy tones vibe a southern belle who just wandered off the range to find herself eye-level with a mic… Her heart-lorn loneliness combined with her openly friendly and observational disposition draw the listener into her graceful lyrics…. Once again, Rebecca Pronsky has proven that songwriting is her game and she knows how to deliver it best – through impressively simple production.” [Rated A] ~ JEZEBEL MUSIC

“Rebecca Pronsky struck a deep chord on last year’s Departures & Arrivals, with a little twang and a lot of empathy.” * TOP TEN BEST ALBUMS OF 2008 Critic’s List * ~ PHILADELPHIA CITY PAPER

“Her poetic depth would be enough for me, but that voice! If you’re half as blown away by Rebecca Pronsky as I was, you’ll still never forget her.”
 ~ MATT MORELOCK, BLUE PLATE SPECIAL - WDVX 102.9, KNOXVILLE

“Her new full-length album, “Departures & Arrivals,” which comes out this week, is yet another sure-footed step in the right direction. My favorite track is the nervy “Pensacola,” but the shimmery mid-tempo rocker “Gone” sounds like it’ll sizzle on stage. Other strong songs are “Birds” and “Digging Graves,” in which the singer displays the same remarkable mix of grace and grit as Neko Case. Now 27, she used the three years between releases to sharpen her skills. She’s turned away from the fussier jazz influences on her early work and toward a “roots”-ier sound she can fully inhabit. Pronsky, who grew up in Brooklyn and studied music at Brown University, doesn’t get quite so specific in her lyrics… [her] songs provide the framework; her clear, supple voice is a natural vehicle for empathy. And she trusts her listeners to use their imaginations to fill in the details. Definitely one to watch.” ~ JEWISH EXPONENT

“After listening to her six song E.P. The Early Hours I was hard pressed to come up with a contemporary pop artist she resembles, let alone one who I would want to compare her too… Her songs have an emotional edge that breaks through the usual wall of cool that surrounds so many female jazz vocalists… Rebecca Pronsky doesn’t need to dazzle her audience with technique, and is a mature enough performer to have the confidence in her voice to let it be part of the material, rather than the centre of attention…. Rebecca Pronsky is a new and exciting vocalist who bears watching. She might just turn out to be the next, well, Rebecca Pronsky.” ~ BLOGCRITICS.ORG

“On “The Early Hours,” New York-native Rebecca Pronsky offers six perfect songs that sound as natural and unforced as a spring breeze in late April… Rebecca’s voice is both dark and hopeful, and she has surrounded herself with a first-rate band to help drive them home… There isn’t a complicated thing on this entire record, and that is testament to how well the songs are written.” ~ PORTSMOUTH HERALD

“More than just a solid band backing her smooth music and clever lyrics, it’s Pronsky’s voice that sets her apart from the stereotypical folk singer… With her jazz background and penchant for rocking, Rebecca Pronsky plays folk unlike most folkies.” ~ NEW HAVEN REGISTER

“She’s a born and bread Brooklynite, but lately Rebecca Pronksy has had a little extra twang in her step. Departures and Arrivals is her third release… It’s also her most polished effort yet with a distinct country-pop flavor. Pronsky [is] one of the rising stars of Brooklyn’s indie music scene… With slicker, ballsier vocals and jazzier progressions than your average folksinger, she bridges the gaps between folk, Americana, jazz and indie pop.” ~ EAST BAY EXPRESS