Nathan Kalish / Adrian + Meredith

Four years after their debut album, Adrian + Meredith take their fearless, gripping and Balkan-influenced Americana sound to new heights on their second album, Bad for Business. Recorded in the living room of their Midcentury home in East Nashville with friends like Paul Niehaus (Justin Townes Earle, Colexico), saxophonist Ken Francis Wenzel (Carlos Santana, Bobby Parker) and banjo player Fats Kaplan (Jack White), "Bad for Business" presents a tumultuous, rebellious and domestic diversity show.

The album’s intimate connection with the recording location and contributors creates the ideal conditions for Adrian + Meredith to shine both musically and lyrically while reflecting the disillusioning times for the country – and the world.

Right from the start, Bad for Business highlights the elements that make Adrian + Meredith’s music truly unique – and drives those talents even further. Adrian Krygowski’s raw voice, Meredith Krygowski’s fiery violin playing and the band’s unmistakable, rousing rhythm and versatility – all of this is done with great intention. And from there, the two innovative paths go.

They use Meredith’s foot percussion in the introduction to Kids These Days, they add not just a horn but an entire Balkan brass section in Too Far, and they lend an unexpected indie rock touch to California with its surf-a-billy guitar sounds. "Bad for Business" clearly shows Adrian + Meredith's confidence in her vision and the influence of her musical mentors, especially JD Wilkes of The Legendary Shackshakers and Mark Robinson, who produced and mixed the album.

The lyrical content of "Bad for Business" is also bold - especially in its open exploration of current political issues, on which many artists remain silent. “Even” offers relentless commentary on the political division of the Trump era and the obsession to “equalize”, which Adrian finally debunks in “Chalk” a few tracks later: “The rain falls on everyone equally,” he sings.

Similarly, the klezmer-inspired song “Kids These Days” dives into the effects of gun violence in American schools, “California” contradicts climate change deniers, and even “Valley View,” a gentle folk melody from the perspective of an immigrant on Ellis Island, asks “Have we forgotten who we are?” given current anti-immigration policy attitudes. Nevertheless, Adrian + Meredith also show their playful ease.

Songs like "Too Far" underscore their sense of humor as they describe a Thanksgiving discussion about politics that's getting out of hand, and a rousing take on the 1963 polka pop hit, "Who Stole the Keishka," as well as cheerful tunes like "Hungover Eyes" bring the fun back to "Bad for Business."

Ultimately, “Bad for Business” is like the wide-open front door of Adrian + Meredith. The listener is attracted by the warmth, intensity and openness of the couple - and in the end remains the feeling of effortless joy and friendship that they had almost forgotten.