In 2017, the exceptional Goodnight Rhonda Lee, her fourth studio album, saw Nicole Atkins put a spotlight on the classic qualities of her voice by leaning into mid-century-styled vocal pop and soul. She follows up three years later with the also retro-minded Italian Ice. However, whereas Goodnight Rhonda Lee included collaborations with Chris Isaak and retro-soul production team Niles City Sound, the follow-up involves representatives of classic soul itself. Recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Alabama, Italian Ice features bassist David Hood and keyboardist Spooner Oldham of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, both of whom recorded with Aretha Franklin and Percy Sledge, just to name two. Other prime guests here include, from the indie era, Spoons Britt Daniel, the Civil Wars John Paul White, and Seth Avett as well as members of the Dap-Kings and the Bad Seeds. It was co-produced by Atkins and Alabama Shakes member Ben Tanner. Not quite as refined or as intimate as its predecessor, Italian Ice tends to let loose with these diverse collaborators on sessions that the singer referred to an awesome misfit party. She signals a return to sounds of the past with an opener titled AM Gold that begins with a wistful piano intro, subtly adding guitar, bass, and drums before horns take the song into its mid-tempo groove. Atkins strong, soul-styled lead vocal (she does her own Pips-type backing vocals, too) address contemporary topics like global warming and social media on the track, which looks to music itself for solace (Turn me up that AM gold/Turns me on like a radio/Then I remember Im not alone). She opts for loping, quasi-acoustic country on Never Going Home Again, and Daniel sings backup on the dreamy, twang-tinged slow-dance entry Captain. Elsewhere, she effectively channels 60s pop-soul on St. Dymphna, while the more intimate These Old Roses is an orchestral ballad with a chorus that may recall the Connie Francis standard Where the Boys Are. Its an eclectic set, for sure, but loyal to a nostalgic musicality that doesnt take itself too seriously; theres a bit of a wink and smile to Italian Ice that adds an extra layer of charm. ~ Marcy Donelson

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