Derby Hill’s “Derby Hill” EP: Songs for Tired Hearts That Keep Going

Sometimes when an artist name their project after themselves, then you know it’s really a deep personal journey that has universal themes people can vibe with. And Derby Hill didn’t deviate from it. This is a singer-songwriter from Detroit who sounds like he’s lived a dozen lives, and his new self-titled EP “Derby Hill” is the proof. Released on January 27, 2026, this five-song collection wasn’t made in some fancy high-rise studio. Instead, it was captured in Chicago basements and hall closets. You can actually hear that lack of polish in the best way possible. It’s raw, honest, and feels like someone telling you a secret over a kitchen table.

Derby calls his style “Neo-sincerity.” In a world where everything is covered in ten layers of irony, he just says what he means. He’s clearly been listening to the greats—people like Steve Earle, Leonard Cohen, and John Prine—and he’s picked up their habit of writing about the “grit and glitter” of normal life.

Now the opening track, “Restless and Forgiven“, sets the tone immediately for the EP. The way the song starts immediately grabs your attention and gets you seated, then those country-Anericana elements just soothes you and pushes you through the rest of the EP. It’s a song about survival and moving forward even when you’re tired. Sometimes that’s how life comes at you, you may be down today, but that doesn’t mean the world has ended. So get up and move on. For there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Next up is “Red Honey Wine“, which feels like a hazy memory of a carnival or a late-night truck stop. It’s got a bit of that folk-rock edge that makes his Detroit roots really shine.

“Come back Home” is the emotional center of the record. It deals with loss and reconciliation, and it hits pretty hard if you’ve ever had to fix a broken relationship. This is a song that speaks about what a lot of us face. It’s not easy and more grease to anyone trying to fix anything broken. The way the song starts is alluring, it’s soft and has this beautiful serene country guitar string lying beneath the beat and flowing smoothly behind without screaming. It just strikes your emotions soo well and puts you in an atmosphere where every bit of pain is felt. “Anything’s Possible Here” leans into the hope side of the equation, while the final track, “In a Matter of Moments”, wraps everything up with a reminder of how quickly life can change.

The arrangements are surprisingly big for something recorded in a closet. The way each song is a continuation of the previous is wholesome. There are cinematic touches that make these small stories feel like epic movies. Derby isn’t trying to be hip or clever; he just wants to tell stories about blue-collar neighborhoods, back porch swings, and the kind of love that doesn’t always make financial sense but keeps you going anyway.

He’s even got a sense of humor about it. When asked about upcoming shows, he basically said he doesn’t have any but is happy to play your house party for a fee. That kind of honesty is exactly why this EP works.

Well to me he isn’t selling a brand; he’s just sharing a shred of humanity. So if you’re feeling a bit lonely or just need to hear from someone who actually “means it,” give this EP “Derby Hill” a spin. It’s a short, beautiful journey through the stuff that actually matters.

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