August 19, 2025
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
In the landscape of modern Americana, where so many artists are digging into the dirt of their roots, the duo Joselyn & Don offers a unique perspective. They’re a band born from the soil of Montana, but their sound is cultivated in the creative sprawl of Los Angeles. It’s this dual identity that defines their upcoming third studio album, Lost & Found Highway, a record that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant.
Their first full-length album recorded outside the shadow of the pandemic, Lost & Found Highway is a journey through what we leave behind and what we discover along the way. Co-produced by Graham Richman and Don Barrozo, the album isn’t just a collection of songs; it’s a sonic road trip. It blends the intimate storytelling of Laurel Canyon folk with the soulful grit of alt-country and a cinematic sweep that makes each track feel like a scene from a film.
This sense of journey is what drove the writing process. “This record is about the moments between milestones,” says Joselyn Wilkinson, whose powerful voice is a signature element of the duo’s sound. “It’s for anyone who’s stared out a car window and wondered how they got here, and where they’re headed next.” That feeling of quiet contemplation is woven into the very fabric of the album, from the expansive soundscapes to the intricate lyrical details.
A Soundscape of Shared Stories
The duo’s musical palette is richer than ever, thanks in part to an impressive lineup of collaborators. Esteemed session players like pedal steel master Greg Leisz and bassist Bob Glaub (known for his work with Jackson Browne) lend their seasoned touch, creating a sound that is both fresh and timeless. Guest vocalists like Chris Pierce, Cristina Vane, and Abby Posner add new textures and harmonies, transforming certain tracks into powerful duets and anthems.
The album’s tracklist is a map of personal and shared histories. The title track, “Lost & Found Highway,” twists Americana with unexpected soul flourishes, much like life itself. Meanwhile, “Right On Through,” featuring Cristina Vane, stands out as a haunting narrative, using lush strings and pedal steel to recount a real-life train disaster in Helena, Montana.
There are also moments of heartfelt tribute and social commentary. “Workin’ the Hi-Line” is a poignant ode from Don Barrozo to his father, who emigrated from the Philippines to build a life in Northern Montana. And the timely anthem “Choose Love,” featuring Chris Pierce, has already been praised for its message of unity, gaining attention on shows like NPR’s The Midnight Special.
Expanding the Sonic Horizon
While Joselyn & Don’s previous releases, including their debut album Soar and EP Seeds & Bones, were praised for their introspective, folk-driven intimacy, this new record expands their sonic ambitions. Don Barrozo, a veteran TV editor for The Simpsons, notes, “We’ve always been rooted in acoustic music, but this time, we widened our sonic lens.” He credits co-producer Graham Richman with encouraging them to stretch stylistically, adding new layers of strings, guitars, and even horns. “It’s still us,” he says, “but fuller and freer.”
This growth has not gone unnoticed. The duo has been steadily building a following on the Americana and folk circuits, with their music charting on Roots Music Report and the Americana Music Association’s Top 100. Their live performances at venues and festivals across the country have earned them a reputation for their powerful songwriting and dynamic stage presence.
Ultimately, the songs on Lost & Found Highway are all part of a larger, guiding theme: that the journey itself is what truly shapes us. From an upbeat alt-country ode to home in “Girl From the Mountain” to a soulful reflection on music in “Rock and Roll Heart” (feat. Abby Posner), each song is a waypoint on a larger map.
As Joselyn puts it, “Each song tells its own story, but together they’re a map — of places we’ve been, people we’ve become, and the moments that led us here.” It’s an album for anyone who understands that sometimes you have to get a little lost to truly find yourself.