Browsing Tag

blues folk

Diehard Romantics Will Meet Their Match in Kaleb Cohen’s Bluesy Indie-Folk Release, Our Eyes Met on Friday

Posted on 26 July 2024

Kaleb Cohen is set to become the second biggest Cohen in folk after the release of his bluesy indie single, Our Eyes Met on Friday.

After opening with an introspectively tender extended prelude, inviting listeners into a defining moment that captures the essence of a soul finally finding its home the song unfolds through increments of upbeat folk elements reminiscent of the Lumineers and Mumford and Sons which surge through the ingenuity within the genre-bending energy.

This release showcases Kaleb’s profound ability to make loungey piano keys bleed pure raw emotion, complemented by his seraphically timbered vocals that masterfully blend the gruff with the smooth. The continuous sonic reinventions throughout the track play havoc with rhythmic expectations, yet each new arrangement is as euphonic as the last, exhibiting the devilishly playful innovation of an artist who could easily skate by on his larynx of gold but chooses instead to go the extra aural mile to beguile.

Kaleb Cohen, an indie-folk-rock prodigy from Connecticut who writes, records, and self-produces his music is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film & Television Production. As an omen of the illustrious path he is destined to pave, his first-ever show in New Haven was a sell-out with fans coming as far as Pennsylvania to witness one of Indie Folk’s most promising names etch their legacy.

Our Eyes Met on Friday will be officially released on July 26; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

It’s ‘Gemini’ season in the latest blues folk single by Goldschatz

Posted on 8 September 2023

Genres are defied and the soul transcends in the latest dual-harmony-driven single, Gemini, from the duo Goldschatz. Despite Timothy Jaromir and Rykka hailing from Switzerland and Canada, respectively, nothing was lost in translation in the spiritually spirited acoustic blues-folk release, which teases the soul-affirming singles to come in the upcoming EP, TWIN FLAME.

Even if Father John Misty and Stevie Nicks joined melodic forces in a euphonic portal back to 70s blues, the alchemy wouldn’t sound as sweet as the synergy that breathes through the power couple’s sound, which has seen them become one of the hottest breakthrough artists in Switzerland.

Whether they’re gracing the airwaves or live music venues, Goldschatz never fails to make an impression when they share their poetic introspection over their timelessly enrapturing antidotes to ennui. If you need to reinvigorate your lust for life by exposing yourself to the potential magic of it, delve into their rich discography of soul-rendered singles.

Gemini officially released on September 1st; stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Californian solo artist, Beau James Wilding, put the grit in folk with his reverently fervid single, SET MYSELF ON FIRE

Posted on 13 January 2023

With the choppy discord in the acoustic guitar strings against his gravelly punk blues vocals, the Californian solo artist, Beau James Wilding, orchestrated a roots rock masterpiece with his latest single, SET MYSELF ON FIRE.

We didn’t need his bio to inform us of his intense emotional relationship with sound and music. But learning that the relationship was strengthened after he was left legally blinded by a disease at eighteen made the fierily ardent passion in SET MYSELF ON FIRE burn with even more reverence.

Any fans of Dogs D’Amour and The Quireboys won’t want this fervidly impactful single to pass them by. The dark poetic imagery in the lyrics paired with the frenetic pace of the guitar rhythms that consume the instrumental arrangement with their ragged timbre is a sobering multisensory experience that reaches the pinnacle of gritty folk.

SET MYSELF ON FIRE will officially release on January 13th. Stream it on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Colin Clyne sings the blues in his profoundly plaintive alt-folk single, Wishing Winter Away

Posted on 5 April 2022
Colin Clyne

The endlessly accoladed Aberdeen alt-folk singer-songwriter, Colin Clyne sang the blues in his orchestrally decorated raw Americana single, Wishing Winter Away; winter’s teeth have scarcely seemed sharper than when they bit into the warmed sepia tones.

The roots of folk sway in the highly evocative melodies, but Clyne also discernibly has a knack for modernising profoundly plaintive folk. With his Waitsy vocal timbre that shares the same honeyed whiskey-soaked gravity falling over the arresting acoustic guitar progressions as they weave around the striking keys and classic strings, it is enough to test your soul’s capacity to feel. Or at the very least leave you yearning for summer.

Check out Colin Clyne on his official site, Instagram, and Facebook.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Gabrielle Gore served an infectiously euphoric slice of Americana with her single, ‘My Mustang’.

Posted on 14 June 2021

Eighteen-year-old Oklahoma-hailing country singer-songwriter Gabrielle Gore already has 14-years of performative experience behind her, when it came to writing her latest single, My Mustang, she was primed to serve an infectiously euphoric slice of Americana.

With bluegrass folk meeting crawling rockabilly rhythms, and a few pop elements thrown in for good measure, My Mustang crosses genres while staying true to each style borrowed from. The distinction doesn’t end with the instrumentals either; the rich and resonant vocal projection brings a vibrant energy to the up-tempo track that will transport you to the heart of Nashville before the chorus hits.

My Mustang is now available to stream via SoundCloud. 

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Takar Nabam mixes up East and West with his poetic new single ‘Ashes’

Posted on 30 March 2021

The tribal region of Arunchal Pradesh in India might not be the first place you think of when looking for guitar’s ‘next-big-thing’, but Takar Nabam – already named in Guitar Player Magazine’s ‘Top Five Guitar Players in India’ in 2020 – is absolutely at the forefront of innovative, convention-defying guitarists with his deep, instinctual understanding of both his instrument and his voice. Nabam demonstrates a deep respect and foundation in the musical traditions of his own culture whilst mixing in elements of contemporary blues and roots greats such as John Mayer, Tom Minsch, and slide supremo Derek Trucks.

Nabam’s 2018 album, ‘This Home, That Home’, garnered rave reviews, including featuring on Apple Music’s ‘Top Ten Indian Releases’ and Rolling Stone’s ‘Top Ten Summer Songs’; Nabam now returns with his new single ‘Ashes’. Born from Nabam’s collected life experiences, and mixing up all of those guitar-playing influences, ‘Ashes’ is a deep, meaningful, and mellow track that never lacks in power, authority, or lyrical poetry. Betraying Nabam’s deep understanding of blues and rock, but with a clear jazz and eastern tinge too. It’s a beautiful, gentle track which is at the same time expressive, calming, and uplifting. We’re looking forward to hearing more of Nabam’s new work later this year.

Check out the video for ‘Ashes’ on YouTube, and look Takar Nabam up on Apple Music or Spotify.

Review by Alex Holmes

Echo Wants Her Voice Back explores the complexities of grief with her sermonic folk noir single ‘Blue Lament’

Posted on 10 March 2021
Echo Wants Her Voice Back

Even with a moniker which sounds like it seeped out of David Lynch’s imagination, singer-songwriter, Echo Wants Her Voice Back’s artful folk noir sound subversively surpasses all expectation.

Any artist who can leave you arrested with acapella vocals is definitely worth getting acquainted with. The perfect introduction is her latest single, Blue Lament, which was released on February 12th. The sombre blues-inspired single explores the complexities of grief in a powerfully sermonic style and celebrates that sweet moment when grief and loss finally relinquish their grip.

Check out Echo Wants Her Voice Back via Bandcamp and Facebook.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Award-winning bluegrass singer, Kevin Serey is set to release their wisdom-driven single ‘Old Man’s Eyes’

Posted on 9 March 2021

Singer-songwriter, Kevin Serey has been raking in the accolades since making their debut. As an Ohio Music Award Winner and an International Acoustic Music Awards finalist, his highly-anticipated forthcoming album holds plenty of promise. On the basis of the standout single, Old Man’s Eyes, he’s discernibly delivered.

As we’re collectively living through some of the most isolating times in living history, wisdom-fuelled singles, such as Old Man’s Eyes are priceless. Serey’s consoling words melodically shove you in a positive direction while his timeless bluegrass country folk tones leave you enraptured by evoking just as much emotion as the lyrics.

You’ll have to wait a little longer before you can check out Kevin Serey’s new album, in the meantime, hear their award-winning previous releases via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Bigst Hands – Catch a Fist: Dive Bar Delta Blues

Posted on 6 November 2020

With slight gothic hues lingering in Americana Blues Folk sound, The Bigst Hands’ latest single Catch a Fist is as delectably dark as it is soulfully soothing. Any fans of Kurt Vile will definitely want to delve into the Chicago-born, Brooklyn-based artist’s Delta Blues sound.

The despondently sultry release will stick with you for long after it has faded to a close – especially considering that the track contains one of the most hauntingly cutting Blues guitar solos I’ve potentially ever heard. The Bigst Hands has a way of allowing you to feel like he’s playing the notes on your heartstrings.

The brashly booming drums, phantasmic quivers of the slide guitar and seductive melancholy offered vocally make Catch a Fist and unforgettable track. If Bukowski was still around, I could imagine he’d be an ardent fan of The Bigst Hands and their explorative lyrical style which makes no bones about dissecting the human condition – warts and wall.

You can check out Catch a Fist for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Vargen – It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue: A Solace-Spilling Rework of Bob Dylan’s Timeless Hit

Posted on 9 April 2020

Swedish Blues Folk Duo Vargen’s release of Love / Leave – 11 Songs of Bob Dylan couldn’t have been released at a better time. We’re all in need of a little escapism right now. And the timelessly consoling tones are just as solace-spilling and escapism-aiding as they were at the time of Bob Dylan’s original releases.

The tenderly emotive reimagining works bring the raw soul back to life, yet, Vargen have put their own ensnaring Bluesy spin on the soundscapes. While each track is as mesmerizingly cathartic as the last, It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue is the perfect introduction to Vargen’s boundlessly fervent style. The dual vocals harmonise over the effortlessly mellifluous warmly ethereal instrumentals to create succinct melodies which almost allow you to feel like you’re swimming in sepia.

There was no forgetting Vargen after the chills they left us with after hearing their single From Stockholm to L.A. We’re immeasurably gratified for their return with the 11 track album.

You can check out Vargen’s stunning tribute to Bob Dylan yourselves by heading over to Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast