With many other irons in the fire, husband-and-wife duo Stephen and Jana Mougin may keep listeners waiting between releases, but the result is worth the wait. Right up there with the power of blood harmony is the special blend of voices from a couple who share a life as well.
Their newest single “There’s No Reason To” on Dark Shadow Recording follows a handful over releases since “Frozen in Time,” released in 2024. By coincidence, both songs were penned by New England songwriters Rick Lang and Lincoln Meyer. The Mougins also released “Like I Used to Do” in 2024 and the upbeat song “The Wire” last year.
The lyrics of “There’s No Reason To” spotlight a relationship in tension, one that could easily fall apart, focusing instead on making a strong commitment to love despite the challenges. Jana and Stephen alternate singing on the first two verses, each acknowledging that the other could leave, “but there’s no reason to.” The arrangement highlights Jana’s pure, clear voice set against Stephen’s rich tone, harmonizing on the chorus
As they come together on the third verse, there’s almost a sense of resignation as they recall the old saying, “It is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all.” Only in the last verse, when Jana sings, “Tell me you’re not leavin’” does Stephen provide a happy ending in his response: “Baby, I’m not leavin’.”
The song opens with Stephen on guitar, joined by the other instruments. The tension between staying and going is reflected by the play between the plaintive fiddle and the more hopeful mandolin runs, punctuated by banjo.
The accompaniment features the same musicians who played on “Frozen in Time”: on bass, Byron House, who spent four years playing with Stephen in the Sam Bush Band; Christian Sedelmeyer (of the Jerry Douglas Band) on fiddle; Scott Napier on mandolin; and Kyle Triplett on banjo.
Finding the sweet spot between love song and heartbreak, “There’s No Reason To” pulls listeners along, ending on a subtle but positive note. As the Mougins consider whether to head back to the studio together soon, they need to be reminded there’ no reason not to.
