Lost Saints Deliver a Harmony-Driven Revival with Emotions

Review By Glen Parkes

In an era of country music where digital polish and solo star power often dominate, it’s rare to find a group brave enough to put harmony at the heart of their sound. Enter Lost Saints—Afton Addington, Chris Biano, and Derrick Casteel—whose debut EP Emotions feels like both a revival and a reinvention. Rooted in gospel, bluegrass, and the golden age of ‘90s vocal groups, their work doesn’t just flirt with nostalgia; it builds a fresh bridge between tradition and today’s country scene.

From the opening notes, what hits hardest is the chemistry. This isn’t one lead singer with backup vocals—it’s three equal voices intertwining like threads of the same fabric. The balance is so seamless that sometimes you can’t tell where one voice ends and another begins. That rare chemistry becomes the EP’s defining feature, an identity marker in a crowded genre that has too often forgotten the power of vocal blend.

The set opens with “I Wanna Let You (Remix),” a polished reimagining of their earlier single. It’s sleek, radio-ready, yet still anchored by the warm resonance of their three-part harmonies. It sets the tone for what’s to follow: a collection that respects the mainstream sheen but refuses to sacrifice authenticity. “St. Joe Sunset” slows the pace, offering a slice of small-town imagery wrapped in wistful melody. Here, the Saints lean into their storytelling instincts, painting with soft brushstrokes that let the harmonies glow like twilight over Tennessee hills.

The EP’s emotional peak arrives with “The One,” a soaring ballad about soulmates finding each other against the odds. It’s sentimental but never saccharine, its chorus lifting skyward with a force that recalls Restless Heart at their most majestic. Biano’s co-written “Let It Ring” injects grit and texture into the record, pairing lyrical weight with bold melodic phrasing. It’s a track that feels tailor-made for the stage, destined for fans to sing back at the trio in unison. Meanwhile, “Raid” and “So Far” keep the record grounded in modern Nashville sensibilities, balancing heartfelt subject matter with hooks sharp enough to linger.

Closing the collection, the trio take on Vince Gill’s classic “Go Rest High on That Mountain.” Covering such a sacred piece of country canon is a daring move, but Lost Saints approach it with reverence rather than imitation. Their harmonies breathe new life into the song, turning it into a fitting closer—an acknowledgment of where they’ve come from and a declaration of what they stand for.

What makes Emotions resonate isn’t just the quality of the tracks, but the conviction behind them. Addington, Biano, and Casteel aren’t simply making country music—they’re restoring a tradition. In their own words, there’s been a void where harmony-driven groups once thrived, and this EP proves they’re more than capable of filling it.

The production, helmed by studio legend Ilya Toshinskiy, strikes the perfect balance. It’s crisp without being sterile, rich without overshadowing the voices at the core. Each track feels sculpted to showcase the trio’s natural blend, a sonic decision that elevates the record beyond just another Nashville release.

Lost Saints’ debut also carries an undercurrent of resilience. Their roots in East Texas and East Tennessee, their chance meeting in Nashville, and their organic discovery of a once-in-a-generation vocal blend—it all feeds into the narrative of a band meant to find each other. There’s an undeniable sense that Emotions is not just the beginning of their journey, but the opening statement of a group ready to leave a permanent mark on modern country.

With Emotions, Lost Saints achieve something many debut projects strive for but few accomplish: they carve out a sound that feels both timeless and urgent. It’s a record that pays homage to country’s past while unapologetically staking a claim in its future.

Country fans longing for the glory days of vocal groups like Lonestar and Diamond Rio will find plenty to love here. But so will listeners who crave heartfelt storytelling wrapped in melodies that refuse to fade after the first listen. Lost Saints have arrived, and if Emotions is any indication, they’re here not just to survive in today’s country landscape—but to thrive.