Melbourne-based artist Ari Jacob, a singer, songwriter, pianist, and endlessly creative mind with a Bachelor’s in Music, has continued to explore and expand his artistic boundaries since his debut LP, Sink Without Drowning. After moving to Israel in 2017 to strengthen his spiritual ties and expand his creative horizons, Ari found his niche as the in-house composer for Israel Story, a role that took him across the US. His collaborations flourished, notably with Shay Parry in their band Shayari, leading to a rich period of artistic production, including over a hundred concerts and the album Economy of Heart.
His epoch of personal and creative growth has culminated in his sophomore LP, Son Called Moon, featuring the seminal single, Feel It Coming. The single serves as a narrative canvas, drawing parallels with The National’s I Am Easy to Find LP by filtering organic acoustic folk through an evocative indie lens. The tenderness within the lyrical, instrumental and vocal confluence echoes the reflectively profound nature of Glen Hansard as Ari taps into the essence of folk traditions, reinvigorating them for today’s audience.
His songwriting turns everyday details into affecting meditations, revealing the beauty others would be quick to disregard as immaterial matter. The minimalist instrumentals expand like a panorama, laying a foundation for vocals that nestle into the production with a delicate yet full-bodied serenity which attains a sublime lightness, embodying both vulnerability and polished artistry.
I couldn’t recommend a more apt record to discover the potential for depth and purity of modern folk through.
Stream Feel It Coming with Ari Jacob’s sophomore LP, Son Called Moon, on Spotify now.
Review by Amelia Vandergast