By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine

Bitter Harvest Recordings has just announced a track that is as technologically fascinating as it is relentlessly fun. River East River West—the innovative, AI-driven studio project conceived by acclaimed Liverpool songwriter John Jenkins—has released its latest single, “Missed Calls Number 23.”

A complete departure from the deeply reflective tones of the project's previous work, this new track is a bright, good-humored, foot-tapping hillbilly romp. It beautifully marries traditional, old-school country swagger with cutting-edge production tools, all anchored by Jenkins’ unmistakable melodic instincts and storytelling charm.

Modern Country Chaos with a Wink and a Grin

Originally written by Jenkins as a playful live number, “Missed Calls Number 23” has finally found its perfect vehicle. The track behaves like a classic country trouble-in-the-morning tale, driven by lightning-fast acoustic picking, a rollicking rhythm section, and a vocal delivery packed with self-deprecating mischief.

The narrative follows a hapless protagonist who lets the night get away from him, ignores a cascading wall of digital warnings, and ultimately returns home to face the music. Jenkins paints the domestic fallout with laugh-out-loud comic precision:

The Timeline: A quick night out that suddenly stretches until 3:30 AM.

The Evidence: A Facebook page compromised by photos of the barmaid on his knee.

The Consequences: Getting locked out of the house, clothes scattered across the lawn, and a guitar inexplicably stuck up a tree.

It is a fast-moving, infectious slice of honky-tonk theater built for dancing, laughing, and singing along.

"No point saying sorry – she enjoys laying into me / Likes it when I’m squirming, loves it when I’m on my knees"

The Ultimate Songwriter's Sandbox: Tech Meets Tradition

What makes River East River West so compelling is its blueprint. The project is an AI-generated band created by Jenkins to serve as a creative vessel for songs he has written over the years but never felt suited to sing himself. Rather than leaving these traditional country compositions to gather dust in a drawer, Jenkins uses emerging technology to give them the exact voice, energy, and genre-specific swagger they demand.

Importantly, the authorship remains completely pure: the music, lyrics, and arrangement are entirely crafted by Jenkins. The AI simply acts as the ultimate session band, stepping in to deliver the performance.

An Evolution of the Toolkit

Jenkins, a seasoned veteran of the UK music scene who has tracked everything from 1980s post-punk John Peel sessions (with The Persuaders and Come in Tokio) to critically acclaimed folk and Americana records, views this pivot not as a shortcut, but as a natural technological evolution.

"Songwriters have always embraced new technology — from Mellotrons to drum machines to digital recording," Jenkins notes. "This is simply the next chapter. With River East River West, I imagine a band discovering one of my songs, interpreting it with their own energy, and sending it back to me. It’s still my melody, my words, my authorship — just filtered through a different lens."

The Verdict

“Missed Calls Number 23” is a resounding success because it keeps the heart of the song front and center. It proves that regardless of the tools used to cook up the performance, a great hook, sharp wit, and a brilliant lyric will always win the day. For anyone looking for a high-energy, tongue-in-cheek country anthem to spin this weekend, this track answers the call perfectly.

Connect & Explore:

Official Website: Learn more about the mastermind behind the project at www.johnjenkinsmusic.com or John Jenkins Music