Browsing Tag

Alt Indie Folk

Mock Deer – Your Open Heart: Transfixingly Crushing, Cinematically Resonant Alt Indie Folk

Posted on 17 February 2020

“Your Open Heart” is one of the captivating singles found on the latest release “The Art of Loneliness” from London-based Alt Indie Folk artist Mock Deer.

Forget lyrical or instrumental hooks, the prelude offers an instantaneous sharp emotional hook which will great any fan of American Alt Folk with a familiar lacerating sting. With each progression, you’re drawn further into the striking resonance which pools around the creeping ethereal reverb and gently melancholic pensive notes.

Mock Deer is exactly the kind of artist you can hit play on for the first time and form an “I immediately need to buy all of their records” obsession – especially if you are a Paul Simon or REM fan. Despite the raw existential emotion projected into Your Open Heart, there’s the faintest hint of romantic optimism amongst the perfectly weighted commentary on 21st-century alienation and fear. It is transfixing, crushing, uplifting and transcendent all in equal measure.

You can check out Your Open Heart for yourselves via SoundCloud. Or you can grab a vinyl or CD copy via Rough Trade.

Keep up to date with the latest releases from Mock Deer via Facebook.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Vincent Lima – Albany: Deep Cavernous Indie Folk Rock

Posted on 27 January 2020

Award-Winning musician Vincent Lima has released yet another resoundingly raw single with “Albany”. Any fans of the darkly alluring mesmerism of Tom Waits and Richard Hawley are going to want to jump on the singer songwriter’s first release in 2020.

There’s a unique tenderness to Albany, it’s rare for tenderness to accompany deep cavernously evocative tonality, but Vincent Lima has proven that the aural elements make for a potently alchemic mix. If you could imagine what it would sound like if Bill Ryder-Jones and Nick Cave collaborated together, you may get an idea of what Albany has to offer.

Yet, the distinction truly lies in the singer songwriter’s ability to lace the soundscape with a brand-new contemporary resonance through the infusion of nuancedly melancholic Pop.

The pensively deep quivering notes against the deep reverberance of Vincent Lima’s vocals in a cinematic production is something we’ll never forget. And we’re pretty sure that you won’t either.

You can listen to Albany for yourselves by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Oldmanyoung – 4AM Safari: Eccentrically Melodic, Funk-Deep Alt Indie Folk

Posted on 19 June 2019

Any fans of the eccentricity of Big Thief are sure to appreciate the latest melodically quaint single from the duo Oldmanyoung.

With both artists bringing completely different influences and cultures to their tracks, it would have been more than disappointing if the artists failed to synergistically create textured alchemy which stretches beyond what you’ve head before.

4AM Safari simultaneously feeds you Funk, playfully vibrant Electronica around acoustic organic elements, and lyricism which doesn’t concern itself with painting the world something that it isn’t.

Many artists like to over-romanticise the world with their lyrics, yet, there’s an ominously magnetic pull to 4AM Safari allowing the track to run through with a contemporary feel complete with a sense of realism. There really is no understating just how enamouring this single is as you listen to the woody transcendental rhythms weave around the solid guitar notes in the sporadic yet seamless instrumental arrangement. There’s also plenty to be said for the undiluted charisma which oozes from the vocals.

You can check out Oldmanyoung’s latest single 4AM Safari for yourselves by heading over to Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Veronica Malki – Habibti: Acoustically Magnetic Alt-Folk

Posted on 13 September 2018
To The Sound From The Bay by Veronica Malki

To describe Veronica Malki’s single Habibti as an emotional rollercoaster almost feels like an understatement. So, instead I’ll tell you that if you don’t feel something by the time the final verse fades out, you’re dead inside.

Usually, when it comes to Folk artists, the one thing that they are missing is power in their vocals, yet, it’s not until the momentum builds through the progressive track that you’re treated to the true strength and soul which is harnessed in Veronica Malki’s voice. The prelude starts with the progression of an acoustic guitar before the double bass is slowly, seamlessly weaved into the mix bringing so much brevity to the track, it’s almost guaranteed that your stomach will be left in knots.

You can check out Veronica Malki’s single out along with the rest of the album by heading over to Bandcamp from September 14th, 2018. But if you want a taste of what’s to come, you can sink your teeth into her acoustically angelic first album ‘Listening’ while you wait!

Review by Amelia Vandergast