The War And Treaty: ‘Plus One’ – Album Review

The War And Treaty share brand new album Plus One, officially out now, February 14th on all streaming platforms. Learn more and listen to the new album below.

There is no one like The War And Treaty. Composed of husband and wife duo, Michael and Tanya Trotter, the band effortlessly blends uncanny soul with country instrumentation, stunning harmonies, and unique sounds.

On Plus One, out now, the Michigan natives share eighteen new tracks that are uniquely them. Produced primarily by Michael and released via Mercury Nashville, the album offers listeners a blend of passion and pain, hope and heartbreak.

“We see this record as an open invitation to be a part of what we’re doing—it came from wanting to be the hope we believe people need right now, as well as the hope that we need for ourselves,” shares Tanya in a statement. “Too often we feel all alone in this world, and when we feel alone it can be easy to succumb to despair,” Michael adds. “One of our main intentions with this album is to inspire people to share themselves with others, and open themselves up to the possibility of being loved.” 

There’s no lead singer in the duo, with each taking lead throughout the album, trading verses like a well-rehearsed dance and harmonizing effortlessly over music that takes listeners on a true aural journey.

The album’s first track, “Love and Whiskey” is an immediate attention grabber, its opening horns and Gospel-tinted harmonies informing listeners that they’re in for something truly special. Co-written with Miranda Lambert, they explore a love that runs both hot and cold. “We’ve been friends with Miranda for a while, and we all got together and decided to write a song about how Michael and I work through those times when we’re not getting along,” Tanya explains. “In the past we’ve been told our sound wasn’t radio-friendly, but over time we started getting attention from country radio,” says Michael. “We’ve been seeing a lot of new artists pushing the envelope as far as what country music can be, so we decided, ‘Why not join them, and push it our own way?’”

While The War And Treaty stick to common themes of love and heartbreak, they venture into sounds and styles rarely heard convincingly in country music. Yet, for the duo, they each sound more authentic than the next. While “Stealing a Kiss” has hints of old school R&B, “Teardrops in the Rain” is a gorgeous piano ballad that wouldn’t sound out of place on a John Legend album. “Lead Me Home” pays homage to the John Denver classic “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” while “I Can’t Let You Go” finds Michael absolutely spitting fire on a rapped verse.

“Skyscraper” is a hip-hop inspired breakup anthem that immediately stands out. The track, which features vocals from both their daughter, Courtney, and Michael’s mother, Deborah, takes a huge musical risk that absolutely pays off. “When you look up at all those skyscrapers in New York City, you don’t usually think about what it took to build them,” says Michael. “We know that sometimes it takes a lot of pain and struggle and loneliness to get to where you’re meant to be, so we wrote that song to remind everyone that we’re all beautiful skyscrapers with a story to tell.”

Alternatively, “Can I Get An Amen?” is a stomping and soulful Muscle Shoals-inspired romp that takes listeners to church. Here, their relationship is on full display as they trade verses over horns and fiddles in a way that is impassioned and inspired. “The whole song came from being thankful for the seven days a week I get to spend with Tanya, and all the good that can come when I really open up and let her in,” Michael shared.

“Carried Away” follows in a similar vein as they slide from pedal steel to groovy R&B, looking at their marriage and the strong foundation upon which it’s been built. “The most important part about nailing that song was making sure that Tanya and I were in the same room, vibing off each other,” Michael recalls in a statement. “We put our foreheads together and left that space between our lips, and then just moved together like the ocean.”

“Save Me,” “Home,” and “Love Light” are all gorgeous ballads, celebrating the different aspects of a relationship. While “Love Light” is sparse and lyrically simple, their harmonies are truly unmatched as they proclaim endless and enduring love. Alternatively, “Home” offers a poignant confession that allows MIchael to shine vocally.

“I was in a place // Where only Heaven speaks // And the Angels there // They all notice me // That’s when I knew // I’m right where I belong // ‘Cause aren’t we all just trying to // Find our way back // Home”  

“Drink From Me” finds the pair collaborating with legendary bluegrass guitarist Billy Strings, while “Reminisce” is a clever spin on a breakup song. It tells the tale of the family members who become collateral damage when a relationship falls apart.

“There’s no room in your life // For me right now so I’ll fly // Away in the dead of night // Starry skies in the summertime // I will pray for you // Hope someday when I see you // You’ll have happiness // And we can sit down on a park bench and reminisce”

While The War And Treaty shines on ballads, they are also incredible on the more rousing tunes, as evidenced on “Mr. Fun,” “Love Is On Fire” and “Tunnel Vision.” While “Mr. Fun” is almost haunting with its circus-like pianos, the song truly allows Tanya’s vocals to shine. Meanwhile, “Tunnel Vision” allows them to celebrate what they do best. “I started writing that song during the pandemic, which reminded us how we need to stay focused on doing what brings us joy,” says Michael. “It’s about coming out of that experience with a victorious mindset and telling the world, ‘We’ve got a goal in mind, and we’re not going to let anyone or anything get in our way.’”

Plus One ends with “Glorious Ones,” a stirring and poignant look at life, both in the moment and at the end “Do you see // How far we’ve come // Two broken hearts // Become one // Like a screaming eagle // Soars in the sun // I have found love // In a glorious one“

For The War And Treaty, Plus One is truly a labor of love, showing off their love for each other and the music they get to make together.

Country Swag Picks:

1. Skyscraper
2. Love Like Whiskey
3. Can I Get An Amen
4. Reminisce
5. Call You By Your Name

Plus One Track List:

1. Love Like Whiskey (Michael Trotter Jr., Tanya Trotter, Jesse Frasure and Miranda Lambert)
2. Skyscraper (Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter)
3. Can I Get An Amen (Michael Trotter Jr., Tanya Trotter and Jonathan Singleton)
4. Called You By Your Name (Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter)
5. Stealing A Kiss (Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter)
6. Teardrops In The Rain (Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter)
7. Leads Me Home (Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter)
8. Carried Away (Michael Trotter Jr.)
9. Drink From Me ft. Billy Strings (Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter)
10. Reminisce (Michael Trotter Jr.)
11. Save Me (Michael Trotter Jr.)
12. Love Is On Fire (Michael Trotter Jr., Tanya Trotter and Jonathan Singleton)
13. I Can’t Let You Go (Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter)
14. Home (Michael Trotter Jr.)
15. Love Light (Michael Trotter Jr.)
16. Mr. Fun (Michael Trotter Jr.)
17. Tunnel Vision (Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter)
18. The Glorious Ones (Michael Trotter Jr.)

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Plus One is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.