Browsing Tag

Acoustic Folk

Joey Sherman – PRETENDING: A Haunting Alt Folk Attack on Daily Monotony

Posted on 14 August 2020

If anyone’s looking for tips on how to orchestrate transfixing Alt Folk preludes, hit play on Joey Sherman’s single PRETENDING and grab a pen. From the first pensively picked notes, we were hooked.

After the ringing of an old school alarm clock which pretty much fills you with the I-don’t-want-to-go-to-work/school-dread, the raw, rugged and steady guitar notes lead you into a sombrely captivating soundscape which any fans of Bob Dylan will appreciate. It’s as haunting as it is stunning.

With the extended duration of PRETENDING, there’s plenty of room for absorbing instrumental solos which add just as much emotional depth to the single as the vocals and lyrics.

If you can relate to needing an escape, you’ll find plenty of resonance within PRETENDING which powerfully points out just how much energy is demanded of us in day to day life and how exhausting it can be.

You can check out Joey Sherman’s single PRETENDING via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Boa echoes into our hearts with real stories on ‘Pinch Of Salt’

Posted on 9 August 2020

Italian singer Boa enters in through the front door with his excellent new indie-folk single called ‘Pinch Of Salt‘.

Lorenzo Bonarini aka Boa is a songwriter who has explored various genres from punk, folk, jazz, to soundtracks for cinema, hip hop, reggae and more genres. His latest album called ‘Bag of Seeds‘ was meant as a tribute to Leonard Cohen but inevitably the seeds sprouted and so the music went in many different directions. This is a super creative artist who likes to challenge himself and the results are tremendous.

I like the simple drum taps at the start, the acoustic buzz and the clear vocals that are gritty and real. This is a song that could of been released in the 70’s or not. This feels eerily like a timeless song and one that all generations will enjoy.

‘Pinch Of Salt‘ from Boa is a fabulous effort that has weaved a bow of brilliance in the heat of 2020.

Head to Soundcloud to hear this classic.

Listen with the volume on full here via Spotify.

Click here for more info on Facebook.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Blonde Lion has released their enrapturing ennui-laden Alt Folk single “Ordinary Day”

Posted on 5 August 2020

Folk-Pop singer-songwriter Blonde Lion released their latest single “Ordinary Day” on August 5th. Elliott Smith may not be with us anymore, but Blonde Lion’s melancholic style is just as efficacious at drawing pensive emotions from you and offering aural resolve.

Obviously, I didn’t make it to the end of Ordinary Day with dry eyes. The delicateness of the atmospheric and intricate acoustic instrumentals was one thing, the resonance in the lyrics was quite another.  Ordinary Days was inspired by the days where you wake up and struggle to find anything which offers any meaning. The jaded ennui was all too relatable and it’s safe to say that after the global lockdown, plenty more people will see themselves in this sublime soundscape which serves as the perfect introduction to Blonde Lion’s compelling style.

You can check out Blonde Lion’s latest release by heading over to SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Aurore Sibley – In Salinas: Beguilingly Baroque Folk Pop

Posted on 5 July 2020
Aurore Sibley

Singer-songwriter Aurore Sibley is set to release her debut album on July 24th. Ahead of the release, she’s released a mesmerising teaser with the single “In Salinas”.

Her beguilingly baroque Folk Pop style invites you back to a time when finding poetry in lyrics wasn’t akin to finding a needle in a haystack. The stunning storytelling narrative lyrics in Aurore Sibley’s single paint a romantic tale which you’ll be immersed in from the first verse.

The acoustic folk instrumental arrangement may be fairly stripped back. But an arcane ethereal atmosphere clasps around every note in the almost haunting soundscape which any fans of Nick Cave will undoubtedly appreciate.

You can check out In Salinas for yourselves by heading over to Spotify.

Follow the artist via Facebook to stay up to date with all their future releases.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Prepare to be sobered by Joe Johnson’s latest Indie Folk single “Be Who You Wanna Be”

Posted on 14 June 2020

Folk singer-songwriter Joe Johnson has recently released his instantly captivating single “Be Who You Wanna Be” and reminded us just how resonant Indie Folk can be.

Be Who You Wanna Be feeds you poignantly meta lyricism whilst grounding you with the melancholically-tinged instrumentals. From such simple guitar melodies and humbly tender vocals, Joe Johnson has created an atmospherically resounding single which will stay with you long after it has faded to a close.

The orchestral layers amplify the emotive weight in Be Who You Wanna Be, but in its essence, it’s a stunningly uplifting track which shares the same appeal as Eddie Vedder’s Into the Wild soundtrack album.

You can check out Be Who You Wanna Be for yourselves by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

”Bang Bang” from the soulful May Devun is a message of moving on

Posted on 11 June 2020

Sometimes you just need to move on and get away from a toxic relationship that once was good. We need to be happy and being with someone that is helping us to achieve our goals. This is the only way to go. You want to feel like you are the only person in the world, not just anything or anybody.

LA’s May Devun keeps it real with ”Bang Bang”, her latest single. She describes the story of watching someone that used to mean a lot in her life. For her the time is wasted as it’s over. Finally fed up, she decides to make that decision and one that is good for her soul. With such a gorgeous voice, May cruises through this song like she is in her car, shades on and bags packed. The beat on this fits the song like a comfy glove. Everything is seamless and the audience nods their head in agreement. This is a quality track and May Devun is on the right path to achieve whatever she sets her mind to.

This is special talent so make sure that you are streaming her on SoundCloud to get the full ”Bang Bang” experience.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Lindsay Brazell stands up for the ladies with defiant ”Placeholder”

Posted on 8 June 2020

Lindsay Brazell is one inspiring woman. This fantastic Indie-Folk artist from Simpsonville in South Carolina, is back with her new song called ”Placeholder”. This is a statement song with a beautiful melody and a real message for both young and old.

Currently doing online music lessons while schools are closed up, Lindsay is certainly keeping herself busy right now. The Music educator/singer-songwriter and blogger, has released ”Placeholder” to the world and it’s a defiant message that no woman should be messed around with and played. Feeling used after being cheated on is a horrible feeling and you can hear the frustration in Lindsay’s voice. Her message is that this shouldn’t happen to any woman in the world while drawing in previous experiences to express herself eloquently.

With a soothing voice, thought out lyrics with meaning and soul, Lindsay Brazell’s ”Placeholder” deserves a place in our hearts and ears. This is a beautifully crafted song that has a message that is needed in today’s society of quick love and being force-fed bad role models. Lindsay Brazell is the type of woman and inspiring energy that that kids need to be listening to during lunch breaks.

Stream more from this multi-talented singer-songwriter on SoundCloud.

Review by Llewelyn Screen

 

8udDha bl0od – L0<3 15 0n y0Ur 51D3

Posted on 24 March 2020
https://soundcloud.com/william-orpen/loveisonyourside

8udDha bl0od’s Alt Folk single L0<3 15 0n y0Ur 51D3 may be a far cry from what you can expect from the likes of Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, and Elliott Smith. But the same soulfully pensive tones are prepared to meet you with the same striking resonance.

With piano strings melancholically pulling over the organically woody acoustic instrumentals, there’s a mesmerising interplay of sadness and uplifting accordance. L0<3 15 0n y0Ur 51D3 may be a light track, but the vocal and instrumental melodies are as tight as they come in Alt Folk.

L0<3 15 0n y0Ur 51D3 isn’t a testament of the Brighton-based artist’s talent. It’s just one facet of it, within their diverse back catalogue you’ll have all the proof you need that 8udDha bl0od’s creativity transcends the ideas of genres and constraints. If you appreciate pioneering artists, they’re definitely one to watch.

You can check out 8udDha bl0od’s single  L0<3 15 0n y0Ur 51D3 out for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Moses Mikheyev – Somewhere in My Blood: Timelessly Mesmeric Indie Folk Rock

Posted on 23 March 2020

Any fans of Frightened Rabbit and the National will undoubtedly appreciate Moses Mikheyev’s modern stylistic approach to Indie Folk Rock in their latest single.

Their 5th single “Somewhere in My Blood” unapologetically bares their soul and invites you to get in touch with your own.

There’s the same timeless mesmerism as offered by pioneers such as Cohen, Waits, and Elliott Smith in Somewhere in My Blood. Yet, Moses Mikheyev endeavouring to pull the cathartically warm tones into the 21st century definitely paid off. As did the added tantalizing sensuous appeal.

The only thing uncomfortable about this track is the lump which will form in your throat as you drink in the humbly candid lyrics which sit synergistically against the porously reflective acoustic melodies.

You can listen to the romantically-rendered, resonantly captivating single for yourselves by heading over to Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

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Susie Jones – Emmeline: Hauntingly Sonorous Indie Acoustic Folk

Posted on 23 March 2020
https://susiejonesband.bandcamp.com/track/emmeline

Manchester Singer-Songwriter Susie Jones has stripped Indie Acoustic Folk right back to its roots with the quiescently powerful single “Emmeline”.

The instrumentals may be minimalistic, but that just leaves more room for the sonorous vocals to resonate within the soundscape.

Rather than constructing your average track following archetypal songwriting structures, Susie Jones utilises the power of improvisation to orchestrate a truly captivating aural experience.

Time may as well stand still while you are listening to Emmeline. It drips serenity whilst abstracting you from your own introspection, although your emotive responses will be well and truly present.

Emmeline is just one of the accordantly haunting singles which you’ll find on Susie Jones’ 2020 album “Not So Far Apart”. You can listen to it in full by heading over to Bandcamp now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast