REVIEW: The War and Treaty “Plus One” – A Jubilant Celebration of Love and Hope

The War and Treaty Plus One – A Jubilant Celebration of Love and Hope

Mark Pelavin*

It’s fitting that Plus One, the exuberant new album from husband-and-wife duo The War and Treaty, is being released on Valentine’s Day. Michael and Tanya Trotter’s music has always been a radiant celebration of love—between each other, their audience, and life itself—and Plus One delivers that spirit in full.

The Trotters’ recent accolades reflect their growing influence: two Grammy nominations, back-to-back wins for Duo/Group of the Year at the Americana Music Honors & Awards, and stadium performances supporting acts like The Rolling Stones and Zach Bryan. With Plus One, they channel their remarkable love story and artistic chemistry into a record bursting with passion, vulnerability, and the kind of joy that feels desperately needed in today’s world.

“This record came from wanting to be the hope we believe people need right now, as well as the hope we need for ourselves,” Tanya explained in a recent interview. Michael added, “Too often we feel alone, and when we feel alone it can be easy to succumb to despair. One of our main intentions with this album is to inspire people to share themselves with others and open themselves to the possibility of being loved.”

That authenticity and openness define the Trotters’ music. On Plus One, their honesty shines through in every lyric and melody. The album opener, “Love Like Whisky,” captures the ebb and flow of relationships, starting with the all-too-relatable lyric, “I’ve been sleeping on the couch all week / You ain’t even talkin’ to me,” before resolving into the poignant chorus, “We got a love like whiskey / Sometimes it’s gonna burn / Are we ever gonna learn / How to walk through the fire?”

Throughout the album, the Trotters’ passion for each other is palpable, particularly on standout tracks like “Love Light,” a tender ballad where Tanya sings, “You make me feel like I can walk on water,” and the album’s climactic closer, “Glorious Ones.” On the latter, the couple reflects on their journey together, singing, “Do you see how far we’ve come / Two broken hearts become one.” It’s a powerful reminder of their bond, forged through love and resilience.

Musically Plus One is all over the place, in the best possible way. Think the Staples Singers crossed with Miranda Lambert (who cowrites one song here), with some Talking Heads and Randy Travis mixed in. It makes perfect sense that the Trotters have spoken of finding a home in the Americana music community. At its best, Americana music transcends genre, combining elements of traditional country, soul, rock, R&B, singer/songwriter, and gospel.

The War and Treaty’s ability to transcend genre while retaining their signature warmth and energy places them firmly within the Americana tradition—a style that values heartfelt lyrics, stellar musicianship, and emotional resonance.

Recorded at the legendary FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, the album captures the magic of its historic setting. “There’s a spirit in the walls at FAME that I could hear speaking to us,” Michael shared. “I could feel Wilson Pickett, Percy Sledge, and the Allman Brothers all telling us to be honest and humble and take this moment very seriously.” Working with celebrated producers like Jonathan Singleton, John Shanks, and Jesse Frasure, Plus One is the duo’s most polished and satisfying effort to date.

The War and Treaty’s live performances are electric. Their decision to record Plus One primarily with their extraordinary touring band was inspired. The band’s diverse backgrounds reflect the wide-ranging influences on the Trotters’ music. Guitarist Maz Brown brings a jazz sensibility from Ann Arbor, while fiddle player Omar Ruiz-Lopez channels the folk traditions of Panama and Puerto Rico. Other band members include keyboardist Terrance “Slim” Homes (formerly with Tito Jackson), banjoist Michael Rix (a former worship leader), and organist Kiran Gupta, who once guided tours at the Ryman Auditorium. Together, they create a rich, dynamic soundscape that elevates every track.

With Plus One, The War and Treaty deliver an album that is as joyous as it is profound—a testament to the power of love, hope, and human connection.

Preorders are available now on their website, and the album will be released on February 14, 2025, wherever music is sold or streamed. The War and Treaty’s North American tour, kicks off this month and runs through June.

Enjoy our previous coverage here: Show review: The Wood Brothers, The War and Treaty at Red Ants Pants Festival, Montana

* Mark Pelavin is a consultant, writer, and freelance music critic living, very happily, on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.