Daniel Dontato’s Cosmic Country is releasing a new album Horizons tomorrow. This is one I have been looking forward to. Although, before I jump into Daniel Donato’s new project, a little etymology on the term Cosmic Country is in order. Before you can appreciate what Donato refers to as Cosmic Country you need to understand where it comes from. What are the origins of this genre bending style of music? To understand that, there is only one starting point. Gram Parsons used the term Cosmic American Music to refer to his blend of Psychedelic and Country in the 60s and early 70s before his untimely death at 28. His influence on the Byrds and The Rolling Stones cannot be overstated. The Flying Burrito Brothers and Dillard and Clark were early offshoots from Parsons. It is clear that Donato is influenced by these early pioneers, especially The Flying Burrito Brothers. Daniel Donato describes Cosmic Country as music that “takes you to simple places, complex places, but it’s truthful all the while”. His music is a genre-bending musical style that blends traditional American roots music with Psychedelic Rock, Jazz, and experimental sounds.
Daniel Donato’s Horizons builds on the above and will certainly increase his fanbase. The album pulls you through both intimate storytelling and expansive, instrumental landscapes. With this album, Donato cements himself as one of the most exciting and genre-blurring talents to emerge from the Nashville scene in recent years. From the opening track, Horizons feels like a roadmap for a road trip across soundscapes — there’s an undeniable sense of progression. He starts out with a couple of Country kickers, “Blame the Train” and “Sunshine in the Rain”. Other tracks like “Prairie Spin” showcase Donato’s virtuosity on the guitar, blending masterful fingerpicking with a raw, electric edge that invites you to get lost in his sound. Instrumentally, the album offers plenty to sink your teeth into. Donato’s Cosmic Country band delivers a tight and versatile performance, shifting between acoustic and electric landscapes with ease. Also compelling here is Donato’s lyrical depth, which continues to grow.
Ultimately, Horizons is an album that combines technical brilliance with heart and soul. It showcases Daniel Donato as both a songwriter and a guitarist, blending his roots in Country and Americana with an ethos that reaches far beyond any single genre. On Horizons Donato proves he’s not just pushing boundaries; he’s setting a new course entirely.
About the author: Chip and his family live in Birmingham, AL. Roll Tide!