Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10
One of the most politically informed songwriters of her generation, Kristen Ford, returns with a new album firmly established in poetic rage and an anger of how the world, especially her own native country, has begun turning its back on hard earned, and fundamental rights.
Pinto is more than just emotional, it is a fierce, guttural response to the loss of respect to a community of people to whom she represents with pride; but it also has the balance within the heart to soften, accept and inspire a different outlook for the fans and for herself.
There is, and has been, a wonderfully personal frisson in the voice of Kirsten Ford, and as Pinto opens up, that voice becomes almost hypnotic, a reveal of a landscape that refuses to be seen as slick or glossy, let alone the damnation of polished shallow, and instead is of pure earthy intent, and by doing so the songs become trustworthy, they are honourable in their meaning and their faithfulness to her vision.
It is in a friendship formed out of mutual respect that sees Ani DiFranco cowrite four songs for the album, and in such a bold and affirming move of musical capacity, the pivotal nature of constant electricity and energetic feeling wins over. As tracks such as the opener of Here’s To You Kid, which features Ani DiFranco, the deep-rooted self-acceptance of Grrrl In The Mirror, White Man’s Dream, Richest In The World, Rock N Roll Driveway, and White Lighter light the fuse of determined insurrection and proving a truth of how the current United States of America political state views beautiful difference.
Pinto is a sincere, unapologetic, forthright statement. The intensity of conviction, whether in the understandable anger, or the resonating love that is fostered and outspokenly heartfelt, is captivating and a rallying call to others who may believe themselves to be safe from such rights being removed, but who are only one step from being the next ones in line.
A marvellous album, Pinto is one of the frankest albums to appear in 2025 and deserves to be congratulated for its ferocity and its blunt cool. Ian D. Hall