Whether it be the mention of a pick up truck in “What I’d Do,” the southern feel in “Lynchburg Ferry,” or the use of “y’all” in “Down In The Valley,” there’s just something so familiar and comforting about about Buxton’s sound. Prompted by Jason Willis’ guitars, you find yourself sliding down a subtle hill into a place filled with nostalgia. Coupled with lyrics so detailed and mesmerizing, Sergio Trevino’s vocals paint a picture so clear that it’s almost like living in a movie based on his life. The music continues to fill out and embrace you with Chris Wise on the bass, Justin Terrell on drums, and Austin Sepulvado as an additional guitarist.

Aside from the ability to transport listeners to another era of time, Buxton also has the rare talent of changing the mood of an entire song in just one fleeting second. “High Tones” starts off mellow and almost haunting. It paints a sepia toned picture of an old town. Then at the drop of a drumstick, this same town is lit with some of the most beautiful pastels, making it even easier for listeners to submerge themselves into this new story. In “Good as Gone” the exact opposite is seen. It is similar to the way Arrested Development’s Will Arnett is able to completely transform his face from utter joy and excitement into immediate regret and remorse with the line “I’ve made a huge mistake.” This song is like an audible version of that visual talent. It starts off with incredible angst before quickly doing a 180° and softening out to a more somber tone.

Before Buxton’s current albums that are available on Spotify, they had already been performing off of two others, Red Follows Red and A Family Light. By the time they finishing recording Nothing Here Seems Strange, the first available album on Spotify, a cohesive sound had been created. It was melodic and soothing with plenty of space to let each instrument and voice stand out as its own unique talent. Trevino was already a skilled lyricist in presenting a story through imaginative details and mesmerizing vocals.

In their latest album, Half A Native, the band truly comes into their own. Although much of the subject could be interpreted as Trevino being stuck between his American and Mexican culture, he seems to have created a new niche for himself through his music. The album is also a bit more optimistic in sound without losing the eerie feeling of being in someone else’s memory. Contrasted with an extra bit of edge, it maintains a new and perfect balance.

It’s no secret that Buxton is a personal favorite of mine and without a doubt my favorite out of any bands hailing from Houston. In a musical world filled with artists almost screaming for attention some of the time, Buxton has maintained its demeanor like the quiet in the storm. It’s beautiful and unique from everything else surrounding it.

xxRose