Pinto is the debut studio album by Canadian country artist Sykamore. The album includes ten songs that were previously released.[1] Michael Knox produced every track on the album with the exception of the final track "Wallflower".[2]

Pinto
Studio album by
ReleasedAugust 12, 2022
GenreCountry pop
Length39:03
LabelIndependent
Producer
Sykamore chronology
California King
(2020)
Pinto
(2022)
Through the Static
(2024)
Singles from Pinto
  1. "Pinto"
    Released: September 15, 2022
  2. "Dancing in the Dark"
    Released: February 28, 2023

Background

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Jordan Ostrom, known professionally as Sykamore, wrote or co-wrote every song on the album.[2] The album name, Pinto, was inspired by the Ford Pinto, a car from the 1970s. Sykamore stated that she read a manual for the car in a shop in Franklin, Tennessee that described it as "this car that was really messed up, causing engine fires and blowing up".[1][3] She used this as inspiration for the title track, opting to write a song "where the car is kind of a metaphor for young love or first love for somebody" that was "at times toxic but [a] very exciting relationship.[1][3] She noted that she was able to "indulge her pop influences" on this record, and credited producer Michael Knox for creating "strong dynamics" in the music.[4] She initially hoped to release the album in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic altered her plans. She instead released a five-song extended play titled California King that year, with all five songs as well her intermittent promotional singles being included on Pinto.[3] Each song was written and recorded after she fully moved from Alberta to Nashville, and Sykamore viewed the album as the end of her "first chapter in Nashville".[3][5]

Critical reception

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Eric Volmers of the Calgary Herald stated that the album is "album is full of savvy pop songs that maintain enough of a twang to appeal to mainstream country radio".[3] Roman Mitz of The Music Express described "Wallflower" as the most "powerful" song in the album.[1] Nanci Dagg of Canadian Beats Media referred to Pinto as an "equal combination of country and pop".[4] Jason MacNeil of Parton and Pearl said that Sykamore "has a lovely delivery to the primarily highbrow pop country material," on the album, adding that she "isn't crashing and burning with Pinto, more like confidently galloping on a horse of the same name".[6] Kat Harlton of The Harlton Empire stated that the album "pairs empathetic storytelling with instantly memorable hooks and sing-along choruses that capture the emotional rollercoaster of youth and young love".[7] Jenna Weishar of Front Porch Music declared that Pinto is "a journey for listeners, packed with a track for any type of listener".[8]

Track listing

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Pinto
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Pinto"Jordan Ostrom3:00
2."Just 4 July"Ostrom, Jimi Bell Jr., Trannie Anderson3:10
3."Dancing in the Dark"Ostrom, Benjamin Johnson3:09
4."Cheap Thrills"Ostrom, Jaron Boyer, Ben Stennis2:35
5."Out of Luck"Ostrom, Bobby Campbell3:08
6."Record High"Ostrom, Bobby Hamrick, Jeff Cohen3:00
7."California King"Ostrom, Justin Morgan, Justin Weaver3:18
8."Where to Find Me"Ostrom, Austin Taylor Smith, Jason Massey3:16
9."Go Easy on Me"Ostrom, Campbell, Liz Rose3:37
10."Local Singles"Ostrom, Chris Stevens, Deric Ruttan3:22
11."Stay Broke"Ostrom, Massey3:35
12."Wallflower"Ostrom, Nathan Chapman3:48
Total length:39:03

Awards and nominations

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Year Association Category Nominated Work Result Ref.
2023 Country Music Alberta Album of the Year Pinto Nominated [9][10]

Release history

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Release formats for Pinto
Country Date Format Label Ref.
Various August 12, 2022 Digital download Sykamore [11]
Streaming
August 16, 2022 Compact disc [12]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Mitz, Roman (August 28, 2022). "Sykamore's 'Pinto' Fires On all Cylinders By Roman Mitz". The Music Express. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Pinto - Album by Sykamore". Spotify. August 12, 2022. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e Volmers, Eric (August 10, 2022). "The Next Chapter: How Alberta expat Sykamore is conquering Nashville one metaphor at a time". Calgary Herald. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  4. ^ a b Dagg, Nanci (August 16, 2022). "Sykamore releases her debut album, Pinto". Canadian Beats Media. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
  5. ^ "Country Pop artist Sykamore on her debut album "Pinto"!". iHeart. August 19, 2022. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  6. ^ MacNeil, Jason (August 22, 2022). "Album Review: Sykamore, Pinto". Parton and Pearl. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  7. ^ Harlton, Kat (August 18, 2022). "Sykamore Shares Thoughts On Debut Album "Pinto"". The Harlton Empire. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  8. ^ Weishar, Jenna (September 14, 2022). "Sykamore Caps Off Summer With Debut Album "Pinto"". Front Porch Music.
  9. ^ Miller, Logan (February 7, 2023). "Nominees Announced for the 2023 CMAB Awards: Celebrating the Best in Alberta Country Music!". Front Porch Music. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  10. ^ Miller, Logan (April 3, 2022). "The 2023 CMAB Awards: Winners And Show Highlights". Front Porch Music. Archived from the original on April 7, 2023.
  11. ^ "Pinto - Album by Sykamore". Apple Music. August 12, 2022. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  12. ^ "Pinto Album (CD)". SykamoreMusic.com. Retrieved September 5, 2022.