REVIEW: Drew Cooper’s “Little Flower Sessions” is Pure American Intensity

From Springfield, IL, Drew Cooper is a singer-songwriter now residing in the unlikely rebel country climate Southern Arizona. Better known as Cooper, or Coop for short, he’s a husky voiced crooner delivering a gritty and convincing baritone with smart and simple accompaniment that matches the nature of the tales he sings. His newest effort is titled  Little Flower Sessions and is available now via Pony Rock Records.

Cooper grew up in the heartland of American midwest values, and it’s easily apparent those values influenced his songwriting. Growing up, Cooper was drawn to story based songwriters, such as Garth Brooks, Chris Ledoux and Springsteen. These clever wordsmiths seemingly ingrained a homespun knack for storytelling. By his early 20’s, Cooper had discovered the draw of the Red Dirt scene, via the likes of Radney Foster, Pat Green, Stoney LaRue, Cross Canadian Ragweed, and more. A performer by nature, Cooper deftly combines an ability to deliver the song with an innate boldness that defies the conformity that so many new rising artists fall victim too. Here, there’s little convincing needed. These songs are fueled with pure American intensity and emotion that draws the listener in.

This EP release, Little Flower Sessions is available via Spotify now, and follows his previous 2018 release White Horse. The EP only contains 3 tracks, and runs just a scant 12 minutes. But, it never wastes a second. Two tracks originated from Cooper’s previous release, with the third track a soaring cover of Tom Petty’s “Free Falling”.  Little Flower Sessions was recorded in it’s namesake, the small community church that Cooper attended with his family, and instilled many of the values he holds true today. Recorded live, without overdubs, the album conveys a warmth and intimacy that accentuates the passion of these renditions. Kicking off with an almost “Atlantic City” cadence, Cooper’s “Runaway” immediately paints a picture of desperation and a resolute acceptance that would have Springsteen and Moreland nodding in agreement. “Shimmy” captures a slow and soulful live version of the song, that smolders in intensity. Petty’s iconic “Free Fallin” closes this all too brief EP. Delivered with a confidence that seals the deal, it’s obvious Cooper feels the song. It’s delivered with a sincerity that raises it above a mere cover song, or even a tribute. It’s a song that so many people have heard, so many times. For an artist to be able to take a song like “Free Falling” and create a new energy around it is pretty impressive. Really well done.

Like so many, Drew Cooper is an artist just trying to make it though these uncertain times. “Little Flower Sessions” provides a momentary escape from 2020’s turbulence and lends hope to the idea that maybe everything will be okay after all. Add Cooper to the growing list of talented artists I’ve discovered during an otherwise oppressive year. Discoveries such as “Little Flower Sessions” are certainly one of the things keeping me grounded in an otherwise chaotic world. Definitely give “Little Flower Sessions” a spin and look into Drew Cooper by visiting here: https://www.thedrewcooper.com/