Review photo by Dakota Degraw
Every now and then, a song comes along that just gets it—captures something raw and real without trying too hard. Sons of Habit’s “Madeline” is one of those songs. It’s steeped in Americana, but you’ll catch hints of folk, rock, and blues woven in. The whole thing feels like a letter you write but never send, a moment frozen in time, full of longing and bittersweet hope.
From the first strum, “Madeline” pulls you in. The guitar riff isn’t flashy, but it sets the tone perfectly—quiet and reflective, like the start of a new day when everything feels possible. Then Mitchell Douglas starts singing, and you’re hooked. There’s a fragility in it, but also a strength—like he’s letting you in on something deeply personal.
The band backs him up beautifully. Hagan Edge’s harmonica slips in and out like it’s part of some distant memory you can’t quite pin down. It adds this nostalgic vibe that makes the song hit even harder. Dalton Daniels’s lead guitar doesn’t steal the spotlight but enhances everything, giving the song texture and warmth. And Jeffrey Parish’s drumming? It’s the glue—steady and understated, keeping everything grounded without ever taking over.
The real magic of “Madeline” is in the lyrics. It’s about loss, sure, but also about holding onto hope, even when it feels like everything’s slipping away. Lines like “If you go, you can go without a fight / Another show, another road without a light” hit hard. They capture that ache of trying to balance chasing your dreams and holding onto the people who matter most. It’s a song that’s so specific it feels universal—like it could be about anyone’s heartbreak, anyone’s journey.
When Douglas sings the chorus, repeating Madeline’s name, it feels intimate, almost sacred. It’s like he’s trying to keep her close, even as the distance grows. The simplicity of the words is what makes them so powerful. There’s enough space for you to bring your own experiences to the song, and that’s what makes it stick.
In a world where so much music feels overproduced and calculated, “Madeline” is refreshingly real. It’s not about flashy hooks or gimmicks; it’s about connection. It reminds you that sometimes, the best songs are the ones that come straight from the heart. Sons of Habit have tapped into something special here, and the response proves it—over 545,000 Spotify streams and counting. People are listening, and they’re feeling it.
