Browsing Tag

Folk Rock

Alt Indie Rock artist Tom Morris invites you to share ‘The Dark Hours’ with him through his debut release

Posted on 17 December 2020
https://tommorris.bandcamp.com/track/the-dark-hours

Like many artists, Scottish singer-songwriter Tom Morris released his debut single, The Dark Hours’, this summer, but unlike most new releases, the soundscape exhibited the artist’s prowess when it comes to instilling overwhelming emotion as the track becomes so much more than the sum of all parts.

The moody hints of 80s Electro hum around the intricate bluesy indie rock guitars while Tom Morris crafts one of the most infectious vocal melodies I’ve heard this year.

No artist carries the influence of Kurt Vile without picking up the hypnotically mellifluous textures of his meanderingly enticing guitar, which is exactly what is on offer in The Dark Hours which captures the agony of those twilight hours when your body loses most of its capacity for function while your mind runs rampant through every avenue for melancholy.

When I first hit play, I was intrigued by the stylistic collision of genres, by the time The Dark Hours faded out, I was overcome by the artist’s invaluable ability to alchemically offer compassion and comfort through relaying his own bitter-sweet introspection.

You can find out more about Tom Morris by heading over to his official website.

Head over to Bandcamp to stream and download The Dark Hours.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

More Than Skies – Tomorrow Won’t Bother: Psychedelically Cinematic Angsty Folk Rock

Posted on 26 November 2020

More Than Skies is the project of New York singer-songwriter Adam James. With two EP’s and a self-released double-album since its inception in 2006, James now drops his new album, ‘Tomorrow Won’t Bother’, leading off with this, the title track.

Perhaps best described as mildly psychedelic-sounding angsty folk-rock, ‘Tomorrow Won’t Bother’ has a distinctly Beatles-y vibe to it, all beautiful wavering strings, strummed acoustic guitar, and a hugely classy piano-led intro, all held together by James’ effortless vocal. There’s a pizzicato element to the strings adding some percussive drive to the middle section, a charmingly ‘Leslie Cabinet’ dopplering tremolo effect to James’ voice, and that delicious piano intro and outro, all adding serious class to an already beautifully crafted and performed track. ‘Tomorrow Won’t Bother’ is the perfect taster.

Hear ‘Tomorrow Won’t Bother’ on Spotify; check out More Than Skies on Facebook.

Review by Alex Holmes

Logan Bolan offers delicately provocative Stonesy tones with “Flower”

Posted on 31 October 2020

Earlier this year, Californian singer-songwriter Logan Bolan released their evocatively bluesy Indie rock single “Flower”, it may be instrumentally minimalistic, but you can expect the entirety of your attention to fall under the command of this deeply sentimental single.

It is easily one of the most reflectively poignant singles we’ve heard in 2020. It’s the kind of track you’ll hit repeat on for the efficacious way in which it guides you through your own introspection.

Those sweet Stonesy tones under ardent new contortion allow you to slip into the escapism offered by the Rolling Stones while Logan allows you to breathe in the contemporary provocative air of the soundscape through their soul-bearing vocals.

You can check out the official music video to Flower by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

C. Moore Music mashes up the Alt 90s sound with “Knockin’ Around”

Posted on 31 October 2020
https://cmooremusic.bandcamp.com/track/knockin-around

NYC Folk Punk singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist C. Moore Music left us instantly enamoured with their genre-mashing single ‘Knockin’ Around’ which featured on their 11th solo record ‘Unruly’.

He may be a prolific artist, but Knockin Around proves that quantity never comes before quality by boasting transfixingly arrestive hooks right from the intro. The dynamic soundscape may see many of evolutions as it progresses, but your attention will never be in danger of faltering from the grungy almost tribalistic momentum which ebbs and flows in this stunningly crafted single.

With a vocal vibrato which would give Eddie Vedder a run for his money and a freshly sonic smorgasbord of Psych, Blues and Folk on offer instrumentally, Knockin’ Around doesn’t just revive what previous artists allowed us to fall in love with. He brings nostalgic aural elements into a contemporary realm with his own signature sound which will be a hit with any fans of Dinosaur Jr, Pavement and The Jesus and Mary Chain.

You can check out C. Moore Music’s single Knockin’ Around via Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Be Colony – Free at Last: Mellifluously Ascension-Aiding Rock

Posted on 25 September 2020

There are few things sweeter than freedom, one of them is the seminal single by up and coming Alt Folk Rock trailblazers The Be Colony.

Free at Last has a mellifluously ascension-aiding feel which is perfectly paired with the enlightened lyricism which will allow you to melt into your own introspection. The shimmering choral tones give Free at Last a celestial and psychedelic vibe as the Old School Alt Folk Blues instrumentals chime and groove through the progressions. As the track evolves, the band’s virtuosic skill starts to shine even brighter as the intricate solos leave you transfixed in pure soulful alchemy.

You can check out The Be Colony’s standout track Free at Last by heading over to YouTube

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Orange Animal – Here I See: Soulfully Compelling Semi-Orchestral Alt Rock

Posted on 26 July 2020

Here I See is the latest single to be released from US Alt-Rock artist Orange Animal. Their visceral combination of Blues, Rock and Folk in Here I See offers the kind of sound which the word ‘phenomenal’ should be reserved for.

The energy and the atmosphere allow you to almost forget that you’re listening to what started out as a melody and some lyrics. Their ingenuity brings rare intensity to the aural experience which won’t fail to leave you arrested. You lock into the resonance which spills from the all too compelling, low, gravelly vocals and the angular precision of the guitar notes as they lead the way through the semi-orchestral single.

It’s as stylistic and as contemporary as what you’d expect to hear from the likes of the National, but the roots of each of the genres which were weaved into the evocative mix are still audible. In short, I can’t see any Rock-inclined music fan being unimpressed with Here I See.

If you’re aurally sensitive, be prepared to feel a little bruised by this soulfully compelling melodic masterpiece.

You can check out Orange Animal’s single for yourselves by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Asbury Park Love Contingent have released their upliftingly essential charity single “Lay Down”

Posted on 23 July 2020
https://soundcloud.com/user-124173407/lay-down-candles-in-the-rain-3

All too often, uplifting music resonates as trite, but The Asbury Park Love Contingent’s charity single “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)” which was recorded and produced during lockdown is served straight from the soul. It won’t fail to soothe your own either.

You can practically consider hitting play on Lay Down as an act of self-care for the tension and anxiety it will strip away with the choral accordance, sincerity, and absolving ingenuity.

Karen Mansfield, Emily Grove and Tara Dente’s vocals never fail to leave an impression, Karen has also been on our radar since 2018 with her uniquely compelling solo work. But with her new-formed band The Asbury Park Love Contingent, her sound is even more captivating before. With Steve Greenwell (Joss Stone) in charge of production, the powerful feat of celestial Pop Rock was never going to fall flat.

Lay Down wasn’t just originally written and originally performed by Melanie Safka with the intention of sharing positivity and love, it has also now been released as a charity record. All proceeds from the single will go to The Jersey Shore Rescue Mission in Asbury Park, NJ, which provides food, clothing and shelter to the homeless.

You can check out the upliftingly essential single for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

UK Folk Singer-Songwriter Fabio Whyte Has Released Their Latest Masterfully Arrestive Single “Misty Words”

Posted on 20 July 2020

UK Folk Rock Singer-Songwriter Fabio Whyte has recently released their accordantly adrenalizing latest single “Misty Words”. If you’re looking for an aural pick me up which drips with ardent sincerity, look no further.

With the first few acoustic guitar notes, the infectious energy contained in Misty Words starts to resonate. From there on out you’re hooked in an upbeat Alt Folk earworm.

Don’t let Fabio Whyte’s flirtation with the Folk genre fool you, their intricately absorbing melodies aren’t a long way off what you can expect from Elliott Smith’s fretboard mastery. But instead of misery, you’ll get organic uplifting vibes from Misty Words. The track may tackle the subject of romantic mishaps, but it’s hard to feel downbeat while you’re listening to the progressively beguiling single unfold.

You can check out Fabio Whyte’s single Misty Words by heading over to Soundcloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Nate Wilkinson is set to release their resounding Alt Folk Rock single “Better Days”

Posted on 6 July 2020
Nate Wilkinson

We’ve been lucky enough to get a sneak preview of up and coming Alt Folk Rock artist Nate Wilkinson’s upcoming single “Better Days”. It’s safe to say that the airwaves are in for a potent infusion of sincerity when the passionately masterful soundscape drops.

With vocals and intricate guitar work which could give James Dean Bradfield a run for their money, Better Days is not only a deftly-crafted feat of Rock. The visceral intensity makes it so much more. I’m always of the opinion that lyricism should be striking and unapologetically honest, Better Days is one of the rare tracks which doesn’t disappoint.

By all definition, Better Days is a captivating hit. Whether you’re a Folk fan or have a penchant for the raucous licks in Rock, you’ll want Nate Wilkinson on your radar.

Better Days is due for release on July 10th. You’ll be able to check it out for yourselves via SoundCloud. In the meantime, you can check out Nate Wilkinson’s other optimism-inspiring tracks.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Caplaz – Ars Moriendi featuring Gabriele Lazzerini: Archaically Arcane Progressive Alt Rock

Posted on 7 June 2020

If your playlists are waiting for their next taste-breaker, it is our pleasure to introduce the obscurely indulgent latest single “Ars Moriendi” from Alternative artist Calpaz featuring Gabriele Lazzerini.

It’s easy to think you’ve heard it all when it comes to Progressive Rock and Metal. Then, a feat of raw ingenuity such as Ars Moriendi bleeds through your speakers. Any fans of Finntroll will undoubtedly approve.

The turbulent nature of the soundscape which blends everything from Folk Rock to Industrial Rock to Black Metal to Baroque Alt Pop may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but thanks to the archaically arcane feel of the track, we can’t help but get excited about Caplaz.

You can check out Caplaz’s single Ars Moriendi which was released on April 30th for yourselves via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast