This foursome fits right into the exclusive and territorial world of country music, but they don’t exactly follow the rules. With a unique four-vocal blend that merges the unique personalities of Allison Johnson, Blake Mohler, Suzanne Dennis, and Zachary Laughlin, the band spins the genre on its head with a harmony-centric approach that sounds unlike anything else happening in music.
From the single “Runaround” to a song like “Second Hand High,” the band shatters conceptions about what a country group should sound like. Using modern musical elements like drum machines in the latter song brings a pop sheen to a song that begins in an understated way but explodes into a chorus that’s emotionally shattering and elevated by the singers’ beautiful vocal arrangement.
With Mohler at the helm of production and his bandmates guiding the vibe, Rebel Union has crafted a sound that stands up among other vocal groups—carrying on the tradition of two male and two female vocalists blending together, while surpassing any preconceived notions that might exist about how four voices should sound together. There’s a camaraderie that is undeniable in the band’s songs, and a chemistry that can’t be mistaken for anything else. It’s the kind of spark that doesn’t exist in many bands these days, but Rebel Union has it in spades.
With new music on the horizon, there’s no telling where Rebel Union will go next. As SCENES Live Sessions artists, they’ve showcased their talents the most vulnerable of ways and still prove that they’re an unstoppable wave of harmony and emotion that will be making an imprint on the music world for a long time to come.
