Browsing Tag

Indie Folk

ghost singers have released their plaintively hypnotic folk single ‘Remember When’

Posted on 2 April 2021

‘Remember When’ is the latest plaintively hypnotic folk single from ghost singers, a collective of artists that have never met. There may be plenty to mourn when contemplating our increasingly digital cultural landscape, but this harrowingly soft and sparse single definitely isn’t one of them.

Over quiescently picked guitar notes, the female vocals seem to find every inch of space to occupy them with celestial timbre. If you thought that Daughter’s or Sharon Van Etten’s vocals are arresting, wait until you hit play on this timeless single.

Remember When is now available via SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Chris Short leaves us ‘Consumed’ with their latest indie-folk-pop single

Posted on 31 March 2021

‘Matured’ isn’t an adjective easily affixed to up and coming pop artists, but singer-songwriter Chris Short isn’t your average indie-folk peddler. His latest single, ‘Consumed’, left us exactly that.

With a style that carries reminiscence to The Paper Kites and The Lumineers but leaves enough room for their resounding signature sound that incorporates chamber pop and tribal rhythm, you’ll be hooked from the intro. It may be transfixing from the first hit, but the true beauty of this single is its ability to offer new poignant consolation for the grief that we all have to suffer as part of our human experiences with each hit. If you’ve been struggling to see the light recently, you’ll find plenty within the cathartically bright tones of this almost celestial track.

Consumed is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

I Miss You Now: Perth’s Boy On A Hill impress on organic heartfelt love story with ‘Pretty Thing’

Posted on 31 March 2021

Bringing us a wholesome song all about those sweet intentions, Boy On A Hill only give us romantic energy with lots of spine-tingling harmonica to heal our broken dreams on ‘Pretty Thing‘.

Perth, Western Australia-based indie-folk/pop duo Boy On A Hill, fuse that magnetically alluring music that grabs you by the heart and quickens your breath to a state of intoxicating levels of enjoyment.

This is their story about missing that special soul who you truly care about and want to be with so badly. You feel your stomach knot up, as you think about all the memories that you cherish forever, and only hope that more can be made.

You hear the uncontaminated waterfall of captivating sounds in the mind, as you imagine holding their hand in yours. Your skipping hearts beating so fast as you run in the fields full of flowers, as the world slows down and everything you have dreamed of, falls into place right then and there.

‘Pretty Thing‘ from Perth’s indie-folk gem in the barn legends Boy On A Hill, affectionately sooth our worries away gushingly, on a superb track with so much care and tenderness, you might need a long hug after listening here. Their pure authenticity is a joy to behold and the mellow energy washes all those silly concerns away for good.

Hear this terrifically crafted single on Spotify and see their adventures down under on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Running In Circles: Brooklyn’s Horse Radish meander wonderfully on sad memory via the ‘Labyrinth’

Posted on 29 March 2021

Released off their delightfully innocent seven-track debut album from this year called ‘Snake Charmer‘, Horse Radish takes us on an intricately scintillating ride through the maze of life with ‘Labyrinth‘.

Horse Radish is a Brooklyn, New York-based folk band made from true friends, who make that deeply intimate music about heartbreak and overcoming your fragile emotions to wisely fuse it stronger together, so you may love wholeheartedly again and feel that nurturing warmth all over your body.

”Horse Radish’s 2021 debut, Snake Charmer, is an ode to the space suspended between longing and heartbreak.”- Horse Radish

This is the thoughtfully special song about those loving memories about that special soul you once met, your mind wishes that you were together but for some reason, it didn’t happen. The sweet love was there and then just like a bird flying in the sunlit sky, it was swept away and only a distant memory remains.

‘Labyrinth‘ from Brooklyn’s self-aware folk act Horse Radish, feeds those missing nutrients into your hungry body, so you may feel soulfully enhanced again, to brush off the negative energies of the past year and roam free into the wild again.

Hear this terrific new single on Spotify and see their journey via IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

True friendship: Soulful sibling band Fox and Arrows take us for a glorious galaxy-exploring ride on ‘Astronauts’

Posted on 20 March 2021

With their heads in the calming clouds with fond memories of growing up, Fox and Arrows gladly point us upwards to reflect on what real friendship is actually about on their new single called ‘Astronauts‘.

Fox and Arrows is a three-piece indie-folk/pop band from Woodstock, Georgia featuring Anna, Taylor, and Ben. They make that meaningful music from the heart, that has been inspired by their Dad encouraging them to play since they were around six years old.

They perform with so much love and grace, each word is made with a purpose as their faith is strong and want to inspire others by sticking to their chosen craft. The vocals are warm and self-reflective, the mellow guitar only adds to the peace and tranquility, as you look up above to be thankful for what you have.

This is the story of always being real with each other no matter what detours you may face as a family, the bond can never be broken as they stay humble and mesh their skills together to make that memorable music, that will be timeless for generations to come.

‘Astronauts‘ from the three Tankersley’s of indie-folk gospel act Fox and Arrows, is a three year journey of evolution from a family band who have that rare tight bond, they truly love playing together and make a wonderful song here. Their bond is remarkable and they take us on a nostalgic trip here, that is one of the most lovable songs you will hear all year.

Things might change with work or study opportunities, the beards my be longer and the hairstyles might change, but that family connection seems to be closer than ever on this underground gem.

Stream this wonderful song on Spotify and see more family adventures on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Same old bitter winds: Burying Giants shields himself from the thunderous thunderstorms on ‘Change Your Mind’

Posted on 19 March 2021
Burying Giants by Burying Giants

Taken off his debut excellent eight-track release, Burying Giants returns with the self-reflective gem asking to be left alone for a while, as he recovers from more undesirable heartbreak on ‘Change Your Mind‘.

Burying Giants is the stunning solo indie-folk project from the multi-talented Rotherham, South Yorkshire-born, London-based Will Pope. He soothingly meshes that thoughtful type of music together into your beating heart, that is influenced from many years of travelling around the world for work, whilst looking for that elusive deep meaningful love connection.

He purifies himself from the burning catharsis buried deep inside his bones through his touching music, the swirling windstorm is mightily abrupt and blustery within his veins, as he seeks out that true healing that is so desperately needed.

Dealing with a shocking breakup can take a while to replenish yourself from and you feel his pulsating pain, as he sings with that deep underground type of tone, as he does his best to think positive and look to the future.

With a magnificent voice, he brilliantly reaches hard-to-fathom notes that puts you into a deeply emotional trance, as you strap on your goggles and go underwater again to remember about those sad memories you would rather forget but need to deal with, so you can fully heal up and be stronger again. Love is waiting around the corner if you choose to walk there.

‘Change Your Mind‘ from the wonderful Burying Giants, is that journey to finding peace in yourself, as overthinking what could of transpired only leads to more gloom inside your soul, which needs to smile and feel alive again.

Stream this incredible single on Bandcamp and see more on his IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Big dreams beyond: Monsters Who Sleep is breathtaking on ‘Death In A Texan Manor’

Posted on 17 March 2021

Taken off his recent twelve-track album ‘To Whomever It Becomes​‘, Monsters Who Sleep fervently brings us the vivid story of wanting much more in life and the urge to get away from heart-crushing mediocrity on ‘Death In A Texan Manor‘.

Monsters Who Sleep is the stunning solo project of Joshua Richard, the authentic indie folk singer-songwriter from the port city of Halifax, Nova Scotia, which is on the East Coast of Canada.

He delights our eager senses with his signature emotionally-charged music about the fleeting past, putting his future dreams to the fore, with a spellbinding style that lights up your eyes and fills your stomach up with lyrics that are so real.

This is a song that has been brought back from years ago when it was a metal song, re-imagined now and sung with a look to that moment when he was so unhappy and just wanted to live in a big house in Texas for the rest of his life.

‘Death In A Texan Manor‘ from Nova Scotia’s Monsters Who Sleep is a memorable journey into the mind and the belief that you can indeed get out of any situation you are in.

He sings with heartfelt passion that translates into a performance that breaks through the walls of self-doubt, so you can walk through onto the otherwise and follow your dreams to completion.

Listened to this vividly enlightening effort on Spotify and explore more on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Slow Down: Shawn Butzin reminds us to appreciate what we have on ‘Smell the Roses’

Posted on 14 March 2021

After returning home after the unfortunate passing of his late father, Shawn Butzin was so inspired by his long walks in the peaceful Michigan mountains to make tender music so he could sooth his soul and ‘Smell the Roses‘ symbolizes his healing journey.

Shawn Butzin is an award-winning Colorado to Michigan indie-folk singer-songwriter, who foraged himself out of the darkness of mourning, to plant a new seed into the world for us to be uplifted through his deeply heartfelt music.

Taken off his debut solo album, ‘Northern Trails‘, this is a message to turn the volume down, shut the phone off, take a breath and look around to really see what is in front of you. That self-aware reflection is so real and true, your heart beats a bit faster as you remember that loving memory of those left behind in these often barren landscapes, that can hide the true beauty unless you actually seek it out.

His voice is sad and genuine at the same time, as you feel a tear drop down your cheek as you listen closer to this wonderful musician who through those long walks along the stunning Northern Michigan’s trails and campsites, found his peace through music to help us all realize what is really important.

‘Smell the Roses‘ from Traverse City, Michigan-based indie singer-songwriter Shawn Butzin, is that memory that you can’t shake off your mind, the true impact of this song will only be felt when you deal with this moment of loss but will forever remain in your soul. The way he beautifully leads you with him on the trail of healing, is quite remarkable.

Stream this classic song on Spotify and join his long walks in the mountains on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Save our planet with love: Small Changes sings with earthy debut beauty on ‘Seasons’

Posted on 14 March 2021

With their heroic love for our precious environment, Small Changes show us the worlds stunning role to play in our lives on ‘Seasons‘.

Stockholm, Sweden and London, UK indie-folk duo Small Changes, bring that old school love of nature back to our consciousness, thanks to the wonderful vocalist/songwriters Lina Nilsson and Elisabeth O’Connor. They remind us of the earths vital importance and are here to tell their story.

“Seasons is about climate change and why we should embrace the beauty of the seasons changing.”- Small Changes

With stunning vocals that make you remember how pure life can be, these two special ladies send us a peaceful song that needs to be heard far and wide. Changing our attitude is so important and the love simmers in gracefully here with a magnificent song, that fills you up with so much hope.

‘Seasons‘ from the kind souls that transmit only positive vibes that is so welcome, in an often-dark world named Small Changes, is a stunning reminder that we need to protect the world to make sure that there is a better life for future generations, before its too late.

See the lovely video on YouTube, hear this outstanding debut track on Soundcloud and venture into their world on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Waited for the summer: Lee Smythe reminisces on the days he felt alive on ‘When I Was Young’

Posted on 13 March 2021

The prequel to his latest 6-track gem ‘King Of Cups EP, Lee Smythe carefully dusts off the family picture book to show us what it was like ‘When I Was Young‘.

Lee Smythe is a genuine Los Angeles, California-born, Boston in Massachusetts-based indie-folk songwriter, who sings with that authentic old school feel that gives off that classic style, so rare and highly welcome in this plastic-filled world.

With his classy hat, clean suit and smoothly clipped beard looking fresh for action, he slides in the side door with a grin and a toasty performance, that has your whole body warm in delightful comfort.

This is the story of remembering when you were innocent back in the day and had that extra zest for life as a young kid should, going to the beach and recalling those crazy stories with friends, when you did dumb things but it made you wiser. The days are going faster now and you feel like you should probably get back to that part in your life and go on adventures that might scare you, but will get the blood flowing and inspire you again.

His voice is a good time on the curious ears, as he takes you back to those fun days through a vocal delivery that is strong and so pleasurable for all your senses, his terrific guitar style only makes this a memorable experience.

‘When I Was Young‘ from Boston’s Lee Smythe, is that classic track that will remain timeless, the efficient manner he portrays has you smiling and remembering the good old days with friends you haven’t seen for too long.

Stream this quality single on Spotify and follow his life on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen