Browsing Tag

americana

Birds Over Arkansas have released their emotionally-charged slice of Americana ‘Sunflower’.

Posted on 8 November 2021

The melodically unorthodox outfit, Birds Over Arkansas, ended their five-year radio silence with the release of their highly anticipated emotionally charged slice of Americana, Sunflower, which reinforces the ‘good things come to those who wait’ idiom with Adamantium strength.

With the sweet choral vocals harmonising against the practically effervescent acoustic melodies as they weave through intricate rhythms, Sunflower is practically a gateway to another dimension. You’d be hard-pressed to find more escapism in a soundscape from any other up and coming outfit. It carries the sweetly sonorous appeal of Elliott Smith paired with a matchless cinematic roots-deep folk twang. We can only hope that Birds Over Arkansas has more aural salvation in the pipeline.

Sunflower is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Karyn Ann delivers arcane soul in style in her folk single, ‘Wasting Time’

Posted on 14 October 2021

The Portland-based soulstress, Karyn Ann, released her debut album in 2015; after her sophomore album released in 2018, she started to garner critical acclaim and international airplay for her effortlessly powerful vocals and the emotional depth of her lyricism.

Her latest single, Wasting Time, gracefully captures the collective anxiety around watching the sands of time slip while failing to keep hold of anything that brings intrinsic meaning. After we’ve all endured 18 months of lockdown to some degree, Wasting Time is the perfect playlist staple for anyone seeking a little compassion.

The Americana singer-songwriter’s ability to weave a narrative through emotion, poetry and arrestingly minimal melodies is almost unparalleled. We’re fairly certain that this won’t be the last time that Karyn Ann leaves us mesmerised by her almost arcane sense of soul.

Wasting Time is available to stream on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Far North makes compassion worth having with his debut album, Songs for Gentle Souls.

Posted on 1 October 2021

There are far too many things in this world that will tear away at the more affable side of mankind, but The Far North made compassion worth having with the release of their 2020 acoustic folk album, Songs for Gentle Souls.

The standout single, Branches, is a blues-folk serenade that all too efficaciously pulls you into the shimmering accordance of the minimalist soundscape that the 70s style folk-rock vocals soulfully resound within.

While you’d be forgiven for thinking that this sound manifested in Mississippi, The Far North is the solo project of singer-songwriter and guitarist Lee Wylding, hailing from Chester, England. His ethos as an artist is rooted in the roots of folk; his commitment to ensuring every lyric resonates shines through in Branches. We can’t wait to hear more from The Far North.

The Far North’s debut album is available to stream in full on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

 

Franklin Gotham has released their stoically stellar single, Without Being Alone.

Posted on 17 September 2021

Franklin Gotham’s latest single, Without Being Alone, is a tender power-pop embrace that you’ll want to fall into time and time again for the comforting vintage tones, dreamy doo-wop vibes and compassionate lyricism. If you can imagine what Pavement would sound like if they picked up the same romanticism as Syd Barrett, you will be able to get an idea of the sticky-sweet euphoria delivered.

Without Being Alone stoically explores the kind of love that leaves you on the sidelines exploring the infinite possibilities with impassioned impatience. If it’s been a while since you looked at love with rose-tinted glasses, the sweet succinct melodies in this synaesthesia-inducing single will efficaciously remind you.

Without Being Alone is now available to stream and purchase on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The World Will Keep On Turning: Nashville-based Americana singer-songwriter Brian Allison tells us to stay strong on ‘Keep Your Head Up’

Posted on 7 September 2021

As he urges us to stay calm despite the stormy seas around as things will always get better, Brian Allison sings with such a caring ambiance on his latest single which is all about gritting your teeth and never giving up on ‘Keep Your Head Up‘.

Brian Allison is a touring Americana singer-songwriter based in Nashville with a highly impressive beard, who has just moved with his wife and four kids from Chicago. He changed cities so he could be immersed into the mecca of live music in the USA, as he has goals that are lofty but definitely obtainable.

”The song showcases beautiful string arrangements, and an emotional message of not giving up in the hardest of times. I wrote this song right after the lockdowns accrued last year during the pandemic.” ~ Brian Allison

He sings with such an intricate understanding and love for humankind, as each lyric performed seems to mean so much to him. Brian reaches notes that are rather outstanding and he turns up the volume quickly, showing us his vocal range which certainly leads us through into a new world of thought from before. His message is interwoven into our fluctuating mindsets, as he helps us understand that we can actually survive anything if we try hard enough.

‘Keep Your Head Up‘ from the Nashville-based indie Americana singer-songwriter Brian Allison, is a lively effort that certainly rattles your bones and wakes you up from the slumber-filled negativity, that is swirling around suspiciously on the empty streets like a vicious wind. This is the marvelous message we all need to consume, as the world will always be turning and there are opportunities out there to succeed.

As long as you are alive and kicking, there is always something to smile about.

Hear this new single on Soundcloud and see more on IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

In The Darkness: Woodstock folk artist Marc Delgado thought she might get away on ‘The Queens of Coming and Going’

Posted on 1 September 2021

Taken off his well-received twelve-track album called ‘Wildwood Road‘, Marc Delgado sings with such tranquility and ever-lasting calmness on wishing that she got out of all the darkly-lit times with ‘The Queens of Coming and Going‘.

Marc Delgado is a Woodstock, New York-based indie Americana-folk singer-songwriter. He is a skilled craftsman who has seen many things, good and bad, that have made him into a self-aware artist, who performs with an old school edge and truly effortless charm.

”Originally from California, Delgado, after working a succession of dead-end jobs, Marc quit everything, got married & moved to the woods.” ~ Marc Delgado

You feel like you have drifted away into a state of mind from many years before, his voice takes you to places you haven’t felt for many years, or at all. This is a singer who clearly loves telling stories, as he is a true singer-songwriter who is all about the journey, to seeking that much-needed self-enlightenment.

”He began writing songs chronicling his life & his odyssey as an addict in the motels & low-income neigbourhoods of The Central Valley & Southern California to redemption & recovery.” ~ Marc Delgado

‘The Queens of Coming and Going‘ from the well-respected Woodstock, New York indie Americana-folk artist Marc Delgado, is a nostalgic song which feels so wonderfully timeless, as he sings with a classic style which is so rare these days. His gritty vocals and compelling storytelling, is a real marvel to behold during these strange times we currently live in.

Hear this new track on his Spotify page and see more on his FB music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Migrant Birds invite you to ‘Feel it All’ in their cinematic folk single.

Posted on 25 August 2021

North Carolina-dwelling indie-folk-pop trio Migrant Birds craft their accordant singles to ensure that folk stays contemporary. Their standout single, Feel it All, rekindles the magic of old-school folk while allowing you to get lost in the lush modern production.

In Feel it All, orchestral strings quiver below light acoustic guitars while the sublimely layered harmonies drift above. Any fans of Noah and the Whale, Mumford and Sons and Friendly Fires will want to save a spot on their playlists for Migrant Birds and their escapism-aiding soundscapes.

Feel it All is available to stream on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Spin out of control with Nav’s Hook latest indie folk-pop single, Drivin’ Me Crazy

Posted on 23 August 2021

In his latest single, Drivin’ Me Crazy, up and coming artist Nav’s Hook pulled up the roots of rhythm, country and blues to create an indie-folk-pop jam that pays ode to romantic mania. The infectiously uplifting track comes complete with shimmering Gretschy guitars, foot-stompin’ rhythms and some all too efficacious vocal hooks which make an earworm out of the release.

Any fans of Ryan Adams, Chris Cornell, John Mayer and Jason Isbell won’t want to miss out on this expressively seductive radio-ready track that practically begs for repeat attention.

You can check out the official lyric video for yourselves by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Wait All Night: Wisconsin country act Eric Hagen and Red River Revival can’t wait to get a glimpse of her again on ‘Hope’

Posted on 12 August 2021

Taken off his striking five-track ‘Crossroads Motel‘ EP from earlier this year, Eric Hagen and Red River Revival reminds us that it is possible to catch the eye of the one who you desire no matter how long it takes on ‘Hope‘.

Eric Hagen and Red River Revival is an indie Americana/folk/blues/rock and country act based in Door County, Wisconsin. Led by Eric, this is a soulfully expressive band with an honest touch who create that perfect road trip music.

”Hagen has always been around music in some form or fashion. His first words may have even been “Hey Jude”. He grew up listening to records his parents played including The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and Bob Dylan. Many timeless records still influence his music today in combination with newer artists such as Jason Isbell and Chris Stapleton.” ~ Eric Hagen

You feel the calming nature of a truly skilled singer-songwriter who has many a story to tell from his travels. His intricate musicianship is of a really high standard – as his smooth vocals have you lighting the romantic candles – and pouring another cold one with ice, to get the whole picture of this movie-like experience.

‘Hope‘ from the Wisconsin-based indie Americana/folk/blues/rock and country act Eric Hagen and Red River Revival, is the story of wishing that you could spend more time with her as you feel like there is a special bond. Sung with a majestic tone that towers over all your self-doubts and sadness, this is a wonderful effort that has you feeling so reflective.

Sometimes you can’t be together with that true soul who you want at first, as the timing seems to be off every time. That hope of it finally coming together no matter the time of night, keeps you coming back for more.

Hear this new single on Spotify and see more on the IG music channel.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

ELLSWORTH delivers 70s Americana escapism with ‘Potholes’.

Posted on 16 July 2021
ELLSWORTH

Oregon-born folk singer-songwriter ELLSWORTH’s latest single, Potholes, carries the same amount of soul as Jack Johnson’s consoling releases, the Americana escapism of Dylan’s records in the 70s and the same melancholic air that truthfully resides in us all from time to time.

The relatability in this façade-less dreamy feat of folky bluegrass indie sweetens the already choral tones. With lyrics such as ‘turn my body inside out, I shook it real hard, nothing fell out’ for your mind to devour, you’d have to be dead from the soul down not to feel something as you listen to Potholes weave through the stunningly composed progressions.

Check out ELLSWORTH on her website and Facebook.

Review by Amelia Vandergast