Browsing Tag

Alt Folk

Sink into “September” again with Brother Sea’s latest soulfully resolving Celtic Folk single

Posted on 27 September 2020
Brother Sea

South West Celtic Folk artist Brother Sea kindly gave us a sneak peek of their forthcoming single “September” and allowed us to the sink into the accordance of their soulful aural resolve ahead of the official release on October 24th.

There’s nothing which can parallel the ethereally phantasmal chill which creeps from Celtic tones. Yet, Brother Sea infused plenty of their passion, hunger and soul into the soundscape around the eerie tones. So that overall, September unravels as a captivating folklore-spilling soundscape.

Keep up to date with news of the release via Facebook, or head on over to Brother Sea’s official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Bones & Bukenya – SHE: Restoratively Oceanic Alt Indie Folk

Posted on 25 September 2020
Bones & Bukenya

Bones & Bukenya are set to drop their stunningly masterful Alt-Indie Folk Pop single “SHE” on September 25th.

Transfixingly hypnotic Hawaiian surf rhythms introduce the track and bring the catharsis, when you find yourself in the midst of the harmonically timeless production, you’ll also find that you’re consumed by the restoratively oceanic single which stands as a testament to Bones & Bukenya’s authenticity.

Even sweeter than the stylistically soulful vibes that they were able to orchestrate through pairing their dual vocals with the mellifluous instrumentals are the lyrics which pay ode to women who know their value and shine with the confidence they exude.

Despite the quiescent tranquil air to SHE, it’s an incredibly powerful record that you’ll definitely want to give repeat attention.

You can check out SHE via the artist’s official Facebook page from the date of release

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Mike Turpin has dropped their arcanely resolving Alt Indie Pop single “Shine”

Posted on 10 September 2020
https://soundcloud.com/miketurpinmusic/shine-mike-turpin

Well, God damn. If Tokyo-based artist Mike Turpin’s single “Shine” was any more arcanely resolving, I fear that I may never come back down from the high that the aural alchemy left me with.

It’s sensual, it’s sweet, it’s artful, it’s everything that you could possibly expect from a modern Indie Pop record. With twangs of Alt Folk along with similarities to the likes of the 1975, Shine is an indulgently mesmeric release which practically drips with celestial soul. The tear-inducingly compelling vocals are perfectly paired to the striking instrumentals which swim amongst almost haunting reverb.

There are very few ways to accurately allude to how enticing the atmosphere behind the experimental release is. Get it in your ears instead.

You can check out Shine for yourselves via SoundCloud or Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

PB Ruck lays down some haunting soul with their latest single “One-Man Rodeo”

Posted on 1 September 2020

Up and coming singer-songwriter PB Ruck released his latest single One-Man Rodeo on August 24th. It’s pretty much safe to say that it may just be the most pensively raw single we’ve heard so far in 2020.

The hauntingly mellifluous soundscape possesses a timeless Alt-Folk feel which is sure to be a hit with any fans of the likes of Cohen, Waits and Dylan, but it’s anything but archaic. Thanks to the clever contemporary nuances in One-Man Rodeo, it rings with modernity, resonance and connectivity.

You can check out PB Ruck’s single One-Man Rodeo for yourselves by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Garrett Clark Bell – Rolling On: Alt Folk for the Outliers

Posted on 30 August 2020

On the heels of a successful debut single, Alabama-born artist and ex-vet Garrett Clark Bell has released their mellifluously hypnotic sophomore single “Rolling On”.

Any fans of War on Drugs and American Football will no doubt appreciate his modernistic take on Country which comes with a blissfully winding infusion of Alt Folk. If you pull your attention away from the consciousness-consuming accordance of the inventively effect-laden instrumentals, anyone who finds resonance in Bob Dylan’s lyrics will find plenty of relatable sentiments in Rolling On. It speaks to the outliers of society, the ones that navigate through the alienation looking for direction. It’s a powerful affirmation of the fact that even if you feel alone, you’re not alone in that feeling.

You can check out Rolling On for yourselves by heading over to Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Brian Perrone makes a powerful Dark Folk apology with “Sorry”

Posted on 23 August 2020
Brian Perrone

Brian Perrone’s latest darkly moody Indie track “Sorry” is one of the sincerest apologies I’ve ever heard. Any Dark Folk/Murder Folk are sure to be as enamoured and evocatively bruised by Sorry as we were.

From the first verse, you’ll be hooked in the lovelorn narrative tale of regret and longing. The progressive single holds plenty of space for the artist’s seamlessly unexpected evolutions in tone and style which consistently uses complex time signatures. From delicate Neo-classical keying to Jazz-style improvisation, Sorry has a smorgasbord of inventive ingenuity to throw your way. Yet, in its essence, it remains a transfixing resolving soundscape with plenty of soul on offer.

Sorry is due for official release on August 28th, you’ll be able to check it out via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

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

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

Knox Bronson – I Want to Know: Delicately Orchestral Alt Folk

Posted on 5 August 2020
https://soundcloud.com/knox-bronson/i-want-to-know-what-you-told-the-sun

Oakland, US Folk Singer-Songwriter Knox Bronson has recently released their latest single “I Want to Know (What You Told the Sun). If Cohen has a tendency to make you teary, so will this sublimely orchestrated release.

The delicately inviting semi-orchestral arrangement possesses plenty of choral depth and creates the perfect platform for Knox Bronson’s gravelly yet harmonic quiescent vocals. And the nostalgic feel of the release gives I Want to Know plenty of instant accessibility from the first hit. Yet, there’s plenty of distinction to be found within the atmospheric soundscape along with sheer amorous mesmerism.

You can listen to I Want to Know for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud now.

Keep up to date with Knox Bronson’s latest releases via Facebook.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Stuart Wolfenden broke the Alt Folk mould with their upcoming single “One Last Time”

Posted on 3 August 2020
Stuart Wolfenden

Acclaimed actor and musician Stuart Wolfenden is set to release their debut album Songs From a Common Man. Anyone who prefers their Folk on the Alternative side and with a side serving of mesmerism is going to want to pay attention.

Alt Folk musicians aren’t commonly renowned for their captivating vocals, but with the release of Stuart Wolfenden’s album, that may all be set to change. While we’re sure that each of the singles is just as transfixing as the last, we were only lucky enough to get a sneak peek of their single “One Last Time”. Hit play, and you’ll find yourself imagining what it would sound like if Robbie Williams, Tom Waits and The Babe Rainbow collaborated. With a funky and Psychedelically Eastern feel to the instrumentals, One Last Time broke the monocultural mould which usually constraints Western Folk artists. It is never hyperbole when we say you’ve never heard anything like this before, but with One Last Time, that statement has never been truer.

You can check out a preview to One Last Time via this link. For more info, head over to the artist’s official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast