Every so often, a song comes along that doesn’t just get stuck in your head—it sits you down, and reminds you why you’re still here. Norine Braun’s new single “Bolts From The Blue” is exactly that kind of track: part pep talk, part confession, and all heart.

Recorded as part of Steve Dawson’s Henhouse Popup Sessions at Vancouver’s famed Warehouse Studio, the song carries a sense of urgency and spontaneity that you can actually feel. One hour. One band. One shot to capture lightning in a bottle. And somehow Braun doesn’t just manage it—she thrives in it.

Right from the first few notes, “Bolts From The Blue” sounds like a seasoned storyteller pulling you close to share a piece of hard-earned wisdom. The instrumentation is rich but unpretentious: pedal steel slides that shimmer like old memories, keys that feel like they’re humming under their breath, and a rhythm section that’s steady, confident, and quietly driving everything forward. Steve Dawson’s guitar work is particularly tasteful—never flashy, always serving the song.

And then there’s Norine. Her voice is the centerpiece, and it’s not trying to be anyone else’s. There’s a natural grain to it—a lived-in warmth—that fits perfectly with the subject matter. She’s not pretending that aging is easy. She’s not sugarcoating it. Instead, she’s doing something harder: laughing with it, leaning into it, and turning it into something that feels defiant without being bitter.

The lyrics are clever in a way that sneaks up on you. Lines like:

“The golden years off plumb / A fine wine I’ve become / Over hills with dizzy spills / Long of tooth and sitting still.”

It’s self-aware, funny, and a little self-deprecating, but not in a way that feels heavy. It’s more like Braun is letting us know that yes, time changes you—but it doesn’t have to strip you of your spark. The chorus drives that point home:

“Get up and on your feet / You’re alive, you still can breathe.”

The title phrase, “Bolts from the blue,” ties the whole track together. It’s about those moments that come out of nowhere—whether they’re shocks, challenges, or unexpected flashes of clarity. Braun manages to frame life’s unpredictable hits not as reasons to stop moving, but as reasons to keep going.

What makes the track land so well is that it feels real. You can tell it wasn’t overproduced, and that’s a good thing. Life doesn’t give you endless retakes either—sometimes you just show up, do your best, and see what sticks.

For listeners who already know Norine Braun, this single fits right into her catalog of heartfelt, rootsy storytelling, but it also feels like a bit of a step forward. There’s a looseness to it, a confidence that comes from someone who’s comfortable in their own skin—someone who’s done the hard work of accepting who they are.

If you’re in your twenties, this track might sound like a glimpse into a future you haven’t thought much about. If you’re older, it might just hit that little bit harder. Everyone knows what it feels like to be knocked down by something unexpected. And everyone needs a reminder that getting back up is still an option.

Bottom line? “Bolts From The Blue” isn’t just a song about aging—it’s about resilience, humor, and refusing to let life’s curveballs turn you into someone you’re not. Norine Braun has turned personal reflection into a track that feels like a hand on your shoulder, urging you to stand tall, take a deep breath, and keep moving forward.

“Bolts From The Blue” is available now on all major streaming platforms

Listen to Norine Braun and other similar artists on our Spotify Playlist ‘New Music Spotlight - Folk & Country’

“Bolts From The Blue” - Norine Braun

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