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Best Folk Music Blog & Promotion

Michael R Shaw is set to release his feat of dark-folk redemption ‘Lord of All’

Posted on 6 May 2022
Michael R Shaw

Lancashire singer-songwriter Michael R Shaw has teased the humility and ornate originality in his upcoming album by giving us a preview of the short and profound dark-folk single, Lord of All.

Straight away the Nick Cave, Guy Garvey, and Richard Hawley influences start to resound around Shaw’s art-folk ingenuity which carries a touch of tenderness, poetry exhumed from a plaintive soul and a bold alchemic appeal that almost takes this folk track to a celestial level. It certainly wouldn’t be out of place on the Peaky Blinders soundtrack. Lord of All could have been the track to prevent the criminally excessive use of Red Right Hand.

Lord of All is the intro to Shaw’s upcoming album, which is due for release on September 1st, 2022. Check out Michael R Shaw via his website and SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Slow down with Hunter & Girton’s folk-tinged alt-rock single, Fast World

Posted on 5 May 2022
Hunter & Girton

With piano melodies just as haunting as the scores on Westworld, the sombre vibrato vocals, cuttingly atmospheric guitars and the lyrics that tear through the polarity that has distanced and disillusioned us all, Hunter & Girton’s latest single, Fast World, is an evocative masterpiece.

We can be counted as gratified for the band’s step away from the touring circuit and into the studio to release singles such as Fast World, which acts as a harrowing sign of the times. Conceptually, there are a fair few reminiscences to the iconic Mad World, but Hunter & Girton’s cutting dissection of contemporary society is enough to make you long for the Mad World that Tears For Fears warned us about in 1982.

Yet, through the resonance that is delivered hand over metaphorically harbingering fist, it’s hard to find anything but intense satisfaction after hearing the ordinarily-alienating ennui at the centre of this feat of pensive panache.

Naturally, we can’t wait to hear what follows from the rural Indiana-hailing folk-infused alt-rock duo. Fast World is almost enough to make up for Editors giving up the ghost on their latest album.

Check out Hunter & Girton via Facebook.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Leeds brothers The Dunwells show us that genuine romance is actually possible with their latest masterpiece, ‘This is Love’

Posted on 5 May 2022

Taking us into an enchanting world that is loaded with a wonderful romantic glow of hope, The Dunwells show us the light with their latest gem that shall set your cold heart free again on, ‘This is Love‘.

The Dunwells is a Leeds, England based indie-folk/Americana brother band that are one of the most respected groups around and shows their undeniable class yet again.

”The Dunwells have found favour with audiences across the world having toured extensively in USA, Europe and the UK as well as having supported artists including Mumford & Sons, Tom Jones, Scouting for Girls, Bryan Adams & Elbow on their UK tours.” ~ The Dunwells

Displaying a real grace and kindness that seems to be missing from modern-day society in many forms, The Dunwells are quite exceptional and return with another ear-warmer to change your mood and take you into a kiss-filled place of love.

”The brothers have taken their ‘indie-folk’ roots to a new level, experimenting and underpinning many of the tracks with soaring, intricate and studiously interwoven electric guitar infusions.” ~ The Dunwells

‘This is Love‘ from Leeds, England based indie-folk/Americana band The Dunwells is a majestic effort from two souls who are connected smartly as one, who has made a really special single here. The vocals are so smooth and sealed with that pacifying wind that helps you ease all worries away, with a song that might make your day a lot better.

Sometimes music is designed to heal, and we are blessed by a tremendous performance to truly embrace and never forget.

Hear this fine new single on Spotify and see more news on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

New Hampshire-based singer-songwriter Jack Eppington asks us to work together on, ‘We’re Gonna Fly Now’

Posted on 2 May 2022

Urging us to fuse our minds together rather than following the selfish path that so many do, Jack Eppington returns with his highly enthusiastic new single about working as one team on, ‘We’re Gonna Fly Now‘.

Jack Eppington is a New York City-born indie folk-pop singer-songwriter, journalist and photographer who now resides in Manchester, New Hampshire.

”Jack’s influences include The Beatles, Peter Paul & Mary, Bob Dylan, Tom Jones, Aretha Franklin, Bread, Badfinger, Bruce Springsteen and others.” ~ Jack Eppington

Turning his mind to what needs to be done to make the planet a better place, Jack Eppington shows us that by looking up and not down, things can indeed be better than we could possibly imagine if we are all looking in the same direction.

‘We’re Gonna Fly Now‘ from New York City-born indie folk-pop singer-songwriter Jack Eppington, is a single that shows us the passion of an experienced musician who is following his dreams. His mind is elevated on this new single as he looks for solutions to try and help humanity, which needs leaders to stand up right now so that we may mend this world up like a doctor applying stitches to a patient. A single with a beat you won’t forget is in store here, as we look above to see what is actually possible if we all join hands.

Check out the single on Spotify and see more via the Twitter music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

The world music genre got infinitely more otherworldly with Lara Eidi & Dave Manington’s latest composition, Fones

Posted on 1 May 2022
Fones by Dave Manington feat. Lara Eidi

World music composer Dave Manington found the perfect chanteuse for his latest release, Fones, in the singer-songwriter Lara Eidi. Her mystique-filled transcendent vocal timbre resounds around the lines taken from the poem of the same name by the Egyptian poet Constantine P. Cavafy.

After a Waitsy brooding bassline intro, the celestial-ism seeps-in through the luminously rich harmonies and nostalgic guitars, which breed sepia tones under the soaring harmonies. The exoticism within the multicultural jazzy experimentalism makes it all but impossible to capture the true essence of the flamenco laced release. Lara Eidi & Dave Manington truly are among the very few artists that can claim that their sound is completely original. We can’t wait to hear what follows.

Fones was officially released on April 29th; it is now available to stream and purchase via Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Gian Majidi explores the amorous side of ‘The Moon’ in his latest single

Posted on 27 April 2022

Before releasing his self-titled 2022 pop album, the uniquely inspired multilingual Helsinki-based singer-songwriter and composer Gian Majidi has given us a taste of what is to come by giving us a sneak peek of his single, The Moon.

Through his love of 60s pop and 70s rock, he’s orchestrated a nostalgic yet passionately refreshing take on music from decades past. The Moon comes with artfully supple vocal harmonies, intricately picked Spanish guitars and butterfly-evoking progressions that won’t fail to pull you into the colourfully rich release that will undoubtedly put Gian Majidi on the map.

You can check out Gian Majidi for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

New Jersey-based multi-instrumentalist Akash Shah sends us into a mellow trance with ‘Close Your Eyes’

Posted on 26 April 2022

Taken off his recent 5-track ‘Memories‘ album, Akash Shah shows us his growing quality with a nostalgic display of class on the new single about keeping calm and has dropped, ‘Close Your Eyes‘.

Akash Shah is a well-established New Jersey, USA-based multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and music producer who make a combination of indie-rock and indie-folk.

”After 2019 and during the pandemic, I started writing songs as a solo indie artist, releasing my first solo singles and solo EP in 2022. During this time, I was a sound engineer for Falu’s children’s album, “A Colorful World,” which recently won a Grammy Award in 2022.” ~ Akash Shah

Formerly a vocalist and music director of Penn Masala, Akash Shah sends us into a tranquil place with a splendid track that has elegance smoothly intertwined inside that shall have you gazing thoughtfully outside into this rather strange world.

‘Close Your Eyes‘ from New Jersey, USA-based multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and music producer Akash Shah, is a comforting single that has been made by a true creative who sounds like he is in such a satisfying place. The production here is top drawer and the vocals are crisp and welcome you inside with a smile, to transport us all in a reflective tunnel of discovery that shall soothe your whole soul from the rigours of the world.

Listen up to this new single on Spotify and see more on the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Irish folk/rock act Corner Boy shows us why the lengthy walk is worth it in the end on ‘Blackstairs Winter Snow’

Posted on 26 April 2022

Released from the much-awaited upcoming debut album due in October 2022, Corner Boy opens up the door and takes a long walk to find that true love that shall help you propel your soul into that calming content place on ‘Blackstairs Winter Snow‘.

Corner Boy is an Irish 6-piece indie folk/rock band who have put 18 months of hard work into this new project after previously touring many miles to get their music known.

”For almost a decade late-night driving, couch surfing and service station dinners fuelled Corner Boy’s ever-evolving foot-stomping ramble through the many pubs, clubs, rooms and ruins of every shape and size up and down Ireland and further afield.” ~ Corner Boy

Displaying that rare quality that you only feel when you close your eyes and completely let yourself free into their dynamic music, Corner Boy show us that true class and brings the world a special song to wholeheartedly embrace with love.

”Tying in with the song’s message, the video subtly explores the idea of going to any length or distance for the ones you love. As much of a mental journey as physical, we think the video and its central characters’ peculiar little odyssey personifies this experience in an interesting way accompanied with some beautiful imagery of Ireland thrown in for good measure.” ~ Corner Boy

‘Blackstairs Winter Snow‘ from Irish 6-piece indie folk/rock band Corner Boy, is a stunning video that shows you what to do if you truly love someone enough. Sung with incredible passion and performed with such stylish precision, this is a track that shall bring you to a highly reflective mindset. After all, the expedition may be long, cold and hard at times that soak your frigid feet, but it is ultimately worth it if you feel like this is the human of your dreams.

See this deep music video on YouTube and find out more on their IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Adriana Adeline urges all the resilient ladies to never lose that crown on ‘Positive’

Posted on 26 April 2022

Sending a heartfelt message to stay real to yourself and to never bring your precious soul down to the rotten gutter just to get some meaningless pitty, Adriana Adeline grew tired of running and helps us to see the truth that is waiting to embrace you on ‘Positive‘.

Adriana Adeline is a peace-loving Central Florida-born, New York City-based indie singer-songwriter/poet who fuses her original energy to create a wonderfully alluring blend of RnB, folk and pop-soul.

”Hopes to reach the world with her words and passion for music and does everything with 100% originality and style.” ~ Adriana Adeline

Taken from her recent 7-track Higher Consciousness album, the angelic wonder Adriana Adeline delivers an underground love letter to all the lonely women out there who need some hope of a better tomorrow. We find openness in droves here and a beautifully enchanting vocal performance that can only put a smile all over your hopeful face.

‘Positive‘ from Central Florida-born, New York City-based indie singer-songwriter/poet Adriana Adeline is a Queen-like story about keeping that vital good energy flowing- despite the ups and downs of life – so that you may always stay true to your real essence. As the world darkens and the smoke fills the mind of so many, this is a welcome reminder to never give up no matter what. Finding those close humans who may hold your hand when things are low is the key, as we are blessed with a self-enlightened soul who totally gets it. Helping others is her mission and for this, we have to be truly grateful.

Hear this inspiring message on Spotify and see more via her IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Jude Moses shows us a beautiful love letter for our lives to be enhanced by with ‘Kokoro’

Posted on 25 April 2022

Taken off their six-song sophomore album ‘The Beauty‘, Jude Moses returns after a few years away from a creative hiatus with the captivating new single that shall have you looking lovingly into nature again on ‘Kokoro‘.

Jude Moses is a North Carolina/Pacific Northwest-based indie Americana folk/rock outfit that constructs that superb cinematic-like nostalgia to truly hug deeply.

”The Beauty is a love letter to the beauty in this world and in our lives. Songwriter and vocalist Stephen Williams sings to the mystery of the wild and reminisces on a childhood spent amongst dusty pale horses and Georgia pines.” ~ Jude Moses

On their follow-up to 2015’s well-received debut record, ‘We Won’t Die‘, Jude Moses is at their majestic best with a simply scintillating effort that sends you into a place that certainly feels warm and has your eyes glowing in excitement. With a single that seems like a double creation that has been neatly packaged as one track, this is a great release that will seemingly be one of those timeless gems that generations can hold onto forever.

‘Kokoro‘ from North Carolina/Pacific Northwest-based indie Americana folk/rock act Jude Moses, is one of the more tranquil tracks your soul will ever witness. There is so much calm energy that is layered by a band who seems to make only underground classics that are enriched with a lusciously enjoyable class that can only make your day better. In a cold world that needs more love and care to intertwine inside, this is something rather special that is filled with honest gratitude.

Listen up to this lovely release on Spotify and check out their IG music page for more.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen