"If you like your rock & roll to have strong melodies and the perfect balance between heart and attitude, 'I Will Let You Know' will be a “where have you been all my life” moment." - Big Takeover Magazine
"Far from just one of Boston's local treasures, Abbie Barrett is one of the most talented singers and songwriters in the contemporary indie rock world. I Will Let You Know is your perfect starting point. It's yet another essential release from the best record label out there!" - Lord Rutledge
"Boston musician Abbie Barrett has a way of bringing a lot of different tools to a song, and “Blood & Bone” is no exception. Here, she mounts soaring, melodic vocals on the recognizable frame of a rock ‘n’ roll song. In the process, she creates something different and unusual. Barrett, who's latest EP is "I Will Let You Know," is an alchemist of the first order, and the result here is a song that is equal parts beautiful and electrifying, and where the listener finds something new each time they return." - Worcester Telegram
"In typical Abbie Barrett style, I Will Let You Know delivers great song after great song in a way that transcends genre. It's comprised of songs which were originally released as singles between 2018 and last year. Put together, these tracks make for one nifty mini album. This release comes out blazing with a pair of stone cold hits in the title track (featuring Greg Hawkes-ish keyboard work from Greg Hawkes himself!) and "Better Machine" -- both songs imbuing classic new wave pop influences with a rocking & modern edge. If "Reconcile" reminds me of Jenny Dee & The Deelinquents, that's hardly surprising considering Barrett and Valauskas' involvement in that band. But just when you think you've stumbled upon the best new wave record in years, I Will Let You Know takes some wonderfully surprising turns. "Dirty Work," a cover of the Steely Dan classic, manages to capture the warm '70s vibes of the original even as Barrett transforms it in her own unique way. "Blood & Bone" is a soaring modern rock epic. The introspective and haunting "The Light" is surely the first song I've ever heard that uses actual frog trills as percussion (quite effectively, I must say!). Fans will recognize closing track "Here To Stay" as the opening track from 2014's The Triples. This newer version of an old favorite brings this album to a powerful & anthemic conclusion." - Faster And Louder
"Abbie Barrett composes SONGS that don't care about labels! Pop, Americana, Indie Rock, New Wave, College Rock, Power Pop... No matter what label you put on the bottle, its musical content will flow through your veins and make your soul vibrate! Musically, and vocally, the imprint of Abbie Barrett and her gang on these songs is very significant! And as the rhythms and atmospheres have an ultra wide range, here we are with one of the best records heard this year!!!" - Voix de Garage Grenoble
"Offering retro sounds of a completely different style, Abbie Barrett’s ‘I Will Let You Know’ comes loaded with rhythm guitars on loan from The Cars and squirly new wave synths, but the track is far more than a straight 80s throwback. The new wave elements are contrasted by harder edged, fuzzy guitar lines delivered with more of a melodic punk intensity, with a couple of moments even tipping the hat to the later works of Sonic Youth. The real star, though, is Abbie herself, and her lead vocals waver between an aloof moodiness and very cool rock/pop energy. A few plays uncovers the kind of track that’s set to become part of your regular listening." - Real Gone
"This one goes out to all my older friends that don't understand why I still look for new music that absolutely rocks. I know you guys know this is a Steely Dan song but just DIG this modern day cover! One of the best female singers out there these days! Rum Bar Records are one of the ONLY labels out there these days keeping real Rock & Roll alive and I can't stress enough how much you need to check out their Artists/Bandcamp page. Classic Rock LIVES on this label!!! BTW - This is Abbie Barrett and she's the best female vocalist you've NEVER heard before!!!" - King Ralph, The Switchblade New Wave
"I Will Let You Know holds that post punk new wave vibe combined with the 1960s influences the bands from the late 70s brought with them." - WoNo Blog
"Nominated for female vocalist and singer-songwriter of the year: Yes, Barrett is a woman who sings and writes songs." - The Boston Herald
From the immense, apocalyptic “Blood & Bone” to the raucous title track (featuring Greg Hawkes of The Cars), I Will Let You Know, the new EP from Abbie Barrett, is a rock compilation that covers a lot of ground.
“I write the songs as they come, and they tend to run in all directions,” says Barrett. “I’m lucky to have amazing band members that help bring all of these different songs to life in a way that always sounds like us.”
High-energy riot anthems like “Here to Stay” complement more introspective, ethereal tracks like “The Light,” which gets a moody boost from the sharp trill of frogs (recorded at a local cemetery) and a brooding cello. The quirky march of “Reconcile” casts a bit of shade at life in the suburbs, while “Better Machine” rages against slick posers with nothing to say. A cover of Steely Dan’s “Dirty Work” rounds out the list with an early ’70s throwback. It’s a weird and wonderful trip through the mind of this Boston-area performer.
I Will Let You Know features Boston-area heavy hitters Ed Valauskas (The Gravel Pit, Andrea Gillis) on bass, Mike Oram (Juliana Hatfield, Andrea Gillis) on guitar, and Rice Edmonston (Stars Like Ours, Darkbuster) on drums. The band has opened for several notable acts, including The B-52s, The Motels, and Juliana Hatfield.
credits
released May 20, 2022
Abbie Barrett: vocals, guitar
Mike Oram: guitar
Ed Valauskas: bass
Rice Edmonston: drums, bongos, percussion
Greg Hawkes (!): keyboards mini korg, farfisa, telephone on "I Will Let You Know"
Chris Anzalone: percussion on "I Will Let You Know"
Joe McMahon: keys
All songs written by Abbie Barrett except "Dirty Work" by Steely Dan
Recorded by Pat DiCenso and Jon Lupfer at Q Division, with additional recording by Joel Edinberg. Co-produced and mixed by Jon Lupfer and Ed Valauskas. Mastered by Pat DiCenso.
"Write this down: Rum Bar Records is turning into one of the absolute best labels for real rock & roll these days."
-- the legendary Bill Kelly, Bill Kelly's Blackhole Bandstand SiriusXm ch21 LSUG
supported by 7 fans who also own “I Will Let You Know”
Wow! A time machine back to 1980 with killer pop hooks and lyrics about girls and relationships and all that stuff that power pop is about. I bought the album and The Reflectors sent me an additional CD, that I guess is the first record, along with a sticker and button. Thanks guys! Amazing Power Pop! philipspence
Collected tracks from five bands including Cosmonauts, Susan, and Flat Worms provides a look into the vibrant Los Angeles music scene. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 19, 2017
supported by 7 fans who also own “I Will Let You Know”
An album that gets better with every listen. It was already in my top 10 of the year, but it just keeps pushing higher. Lydia Loveless is so damn underrated. William Boyle
