93 MARCH 26-APRIL 1, 2026 westword.com WESTWORD | CONTENTS | SPORTS & RECREATION | SHOPPING & SERVICES | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | MUSIC & VENUES | FOOD & DRINK | r g w f g r t n s t e s t e m n d n d s n h t d s e writer Joel Van Horne is a lyrical genius, and his latest album, The Color of the Dark, is an unmistakable masterpiece. Perform- ing and releasing music under the moniker Covenhoven, which was inspired by the name of his family’s Wyoming cabin, Van Horne imbues The Color of the Dark with the feelings of warmth and peace he de- rives from nature. Covenhoven tunes are a soothing respite from the chaotic day-to- day realities that cloud our minds, and that spirit is carried throughout the album’s ten pristine tracks. Best Folk-Flavored Country EP From the Cheap Seats Caspar Milquetoast Country gets a refresh with self-described “race car country” band Caspar Milque- toast, which released its debut EP, From the Cheap Seats, last June. Lyrics are at the forefront of this fi ve-track work, pulling listeners into talented and evocative story- telling that kicks off with two dreamy and intriguing songs named for seminal artists: “Karen Dalton Says” and “Cy Twombly.” The writing recalls such greats as Daniel Johnston or Jeff Mangum, and the sonics form to punctuate the sometimes-mourn- ful, enlightening ethos. Be sure to check out the band at its debut festival, Blucifer’s First Rodeo, the weekend of July 23. Best Modern Take on Country Happy Hour Chella & the Charm If you fi nd yourself in need of a soundtrack while sitting with friends by a campfi re up in the mountains with a bottle of whiskey, look no further than Happy Hour, the latest EP from Chella & the Charm. The longtime Denver band is known for its distinct sound that blends country and Western traditions with more modern indie tones, as well as relatable lyricism imbued with heartbreak, hope, life and love. From the fi rst track, “Same As It Ever Was (Truly)” — a per- fect tune to indulge in post-breakup — to other standouts like “Two 22 Twenty, Too,” Happy Hour provides a seamless listening experience, with lead vocalist/guitarist Chella Negro’s mellifl uous voice wrapping you around her fi nger. Best Solo Artist Debut Album If You Make It Home for Dinner Cameron Cade Cameron Cade didn’t just dip her feet into the world of pop music — she dove in with a twelve-track debut album, If You Make It Home for Dinner. The project is complete with full production and introspective writing that takes listeners on a journey through her innermost thoughts and con- frontations with herself. On the album, Cade grapples with the expectations soci- ety has for women in heterosexual relation- ships and deconstructs the stereotype of the typical housewife. She also tells stories of deeply personal experiences in both loss and love. From her polished piano playing to her soft yet powerful vocals, Cameron Cade has raised the bar for solo pop musi- cians in Denver with this album. Best Song for Women Scorned “Eden” The Galentines The Galentines specialize in making music for women who are fed up. Hailing from Boulder, the all-female band blends punk attitude and classic rock infl uences into catchy tunes that lament the frustrations of being a girl in a patriarchal world. On “Eden,” they debate the purpose and perils of female obedience, starting from the very beginning of time with the fall of Eden. The Galentines had been teasing this song dur- ing their many live performances all of last year, and fi nally dropped it in December to celebrate the one-year anniversary of their masterful debut album, 1140. With fi ve multi-talented members, the dynamic vocal harmonies the Galentines are able to achieve take the chorus of “Eden” to an- other dimension, emphasizing their cut- ting lyrics. Says the band: “When we wrote ‘Eden,’ we were inspired to shape our ex- perience as women in the music industry into one of feminine resilience.” Mission accomplished, ladies! Best Self-Love Anthem “Masterpiece” HOME and don. R&B singer-songwriter HOME was ini- tially hesitant to release “Masterpiece,” be- cause she thought it came off too conceited, but the track’s producer and collaborator don. convinced her that the world could use more expressions of self-love. The pair dropped “Masterpiece” in November as the second single ahead of their joint EP, Letters From Home. “You ain’t ever had no one quite like me / That’s what they call a masterpiece,” she says on the chorus, invit- ing listeners to claim their own confi dence. HOME’s stunning vocals, expertly layered over don.’s gentle guitar melody, speak self- assurance into existence. Best Shows to Make You Feel Like a Riot Grrrl Diva Cup When Diva Cup takes the stage, you know you’re in for a captivating show. Thumping basslines and drums uplift Polly Torrian’s vocals, which twist continued on page 94
