Browsing Tag

Indie Folk

Baneful Town tells an indie-folk tale of love, loss and hedonism with their latest single, ‘You and No One Else’.

Posted on 11 March 2021

Thanks to artists such as Baneful Town, folk will never become an archaic and outdated genre; as you pick bits of bluegrass out of the raw yet harmonically timbered single, you’ll also feel the sting of the contemporary resonance in the candid lyrics. If you’ve ever attempted to fill a hole with hedonism only to find yourself even more hollow, you’re sure to find plenty of yourself reflected at you in their latest single ‘You and No One Else’.

‘You and No One Else’ is the lead single from the Montreal-based three-piece’s debut self-titled album that comes with a promise of lyrically delivering nothing but soul-projected sincerity. After hearing the all-baring lead single that takes none of the torment of pining after something you’ll never have or replace while providing a harmonically uplifting track, it’s safe to say we’re excited. Fans of everyone from Jayhawks to Dinosaur Jr to the Dandy Warhols will find plenty to love about You and No One Else.

You and No One Else is now available to stream via Spotify. Their debut album is due for official release on March 12th, 2021.

You can keep up to date with Baneful Town’s latest releases via Facebook.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The next meal: Missouri’s Brian Bulger recalls those tough times in stricken poverty through classic Tracy Chapman cover of ‘Fast Car’

Posted on 11 March 2021

Staying true to his roots through this reflective gem, Brian Bulger takes us emotionally back to when life was a struggle to survive growing up on ‘Fast Car’.

Brian Bulger is a compassionate father, proud bald man and excellent indie singer-songwriter from Springfield, Missouri, who sings about those harsh experiences he had while growing up, not knowing where his next meal was coming from and how it hasn’t defined him. He speaks out about issues he has seen firsthand and strives to help others to get out of that world, through his splendid self-reflective soundscapes.

You feel his gloriously raspy voice that hugs your hungry heart and feeds your soul with that warm energy that is so welcoming. He lifts your mood and puts you into an introspective space that has a few tears sliding down your cheek, you feel desperately sad for those that have to go through so much pain, just to live in this often-selfish world.

‘Fast Car’ from the inspiring Springfield, Missouri indie folk-songwriter Brian Bulger, is a splendid song that is sung with so much poise and meaning through the lens of a man that has been through all the ups and downs imaginable. He performs a stunning remix to a song from the legend Tracy Chapman, that has helped so many get through the bad times and lift them up to see above the clouds, while never forgetting where you came from.

Staying humble and remembering that there are others just like you battling as we speak just to have a decent meal, puts everything into perspective when you don’t think you have enough, but actually have a lot. We can all be someone after all, no matter where we are from.

Hear this fantastic song on Spotify and see more from his life on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Leopold Medley asks us all to touch his pretty ‘Picture On The Wall’

Posted on 7 March 2021

Laid back, trippy, vulnerable, gentle, arty, and honest – all words which could be used to describe Brooklyn artist Leopold Medley’s debut album of folk-pop, ‘Picture On The Wall’. This, the first single and title track, is a perfect introduction to Medley’s spacey, stream-of-consciousness lyric writing and calm fingerpicked guitar.

Anyone who ever played the teen-soap-cum-time-bending video-game Life Is Strange will know immediately the sound of ‘Picture On The Wall’, that sort of ‘Pooka-esque’ gentle Nick Drake-with-electronics, trippy bedroom-ness that’s questioning and calming all at the same time.

‘Picture On The Wall’ – the album – is ten tracks of soft, beautiful psych-folk that uplifts the soul and brings a smile to even the most jaded of faces; ‘Picture On The Wall’ – the single – is the perfect introduction to that.

You can check out ‘Picture On The Wall’ across all major streaming platforms from the 12th February, and follow Leopold Medley on Facebook and Instagram.

Review by Alex Holmes

The Home Stretch made a seafaringly sweet debut with their album ‘Ocean Boy’

Posted on 1 March 2021

Discernibly, it isn’t just the artwork for The Home Stretch’s album ‘Ocean Boy’ which Neutral Milk Hotel inspired, the same lo-fi psych folk sound resounds right through the debut album from the Birmingham-based newcomers.

The seafaringly sweet album starts with the title-track which allows you to wade into The Home Stretch’s cathartically panoramic signature sound which will undoubtedly be a hit with any fans of Deerhunter.

There’s nothing ambient about the intricate art rock guitar progressions which pop with bluesy pronunciation, but you’ll feel serenity wash over you as you let this mellifluously stunning soundscape arrest your rhythmic pulses and offer indulgent aurally-derived escapism.

Ocean Boy is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

 

Emotion runs deep in Leonie Prater’s alt-indie-folk-pop single ‘The River’

Posted on 25 February 2021

24-year-old Dorset-based singer-songwriter, Leonie Prater’s latest single ‘The River’ provides a taste of what is to come through her first LP release, ‘Metamorphosis’; her deeply confessional approach to indie folk-tinged pop astutely resonates with the contemporary mood of melancholic reflection.

But unlike your own despairing thoughts, Leonie Prater delivers a reminder of how visceral emotions can be when our lives aren’t constrained by necessary draconian means. Rather than leaving you feeling like you want to crawl the walls, the choral tones and Leonie Prater’s consoling vocal timbre make it infinitely easier to find peace in a time when sanctity is scarce.

Stylistically, if you could imagine what an aural lovechild of The Levellers and Warpaint would sound like, you’ll get an idea of what is in store if you hit play. Which you definitely should – for your sanity’s sake.

The River is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Jonah Atkins – Not Ready: Chorally Consoling Alt-Indie-Rock

Posted on 24 February 2021
Jonah Atkins by Jonah Atkins

If you’re sick of your own lockdown-inspired introspection, delve into Ontario-based singer-songwriter Jonah Atkins’ through their latest single ‘Not Ready’ instead. Given that we’re all experiencing a collective period of stagnation where it’s safer to look back than it is to look forward, the lyrical resonance within ‘Not Ready’ is invaluable.

2020, and now subsequently 2021, is the never-ending New Year’s Eve, where you know what you need to do to move forward, you feel the guilt for what you haven’t done and the uncertainty of your capacity for success every day. Not Ready wraps all of those painfully shameful emotions together and still manages to unravel as an upbeat feat of alt-indie.

With vocals which are somewhere in between the Strokes and Kurt Vile breaking through a light layer of reverb, the accessibility parallels the distinction while rich choral tones weave garagey sonic indie new wave progressions to bring a shimmering sense of optimism to the soundscape.

Not Ready is available to stream and purchase via Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Christian Wannerwall – Be Free: Artfully Meditative Alt-Indie Folk

Posted on 21 February 2021

With solitude as a muse, Christian Wannerwall delves deeper into the human psyche than most artists when orchestrating his consolingly empathetic takes on indie alt-folk. Within the Gothenburg-based singer-songwriter’s lyricism, you’ll pull out meditative wisdom which allows you to connect to a less contrived and artificial reality than the one we’re sold on a daily basis.

Within the melodic complexity of his artfully textured indie folk single ‘Be Free’, a cathartic simplicity resounds. As Christian Wannerwall’s evocatively piercing vocals, which share the same poignant sting as the likes of Elliott Smith and Thom Yorke, meet the neo-classic piano-led melodies, you’ll succumb to the notion that freedom is a state of mind and find that the weight of existential dread has already lifted.

Be Free is now available to stream via Spotify. For your sanity’s sake, hit play.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Will she ever come back: Delightful London indie-folk artist Gilan hopes for a second chance on ‘Twice’

Posted on 20 February 2021

With a striking voice that catches you heart deeply and never lets go, Gilan is quite incredible on her latest single about meeting them ‘Twice‘.

Gilan is an enchanting Middle East-born, London, England-based indie folk musician, who makes that deep kind of music that consumes your mind spiritually, as you get lost in her stunning vocal ability, drifting calmly into a different world, full of joy and love.

This is the real story of trying to turn a negative into a positive and you want her to give you a second chance as you were too broken inside at first glance. You feel like you didn’t give enough out the first time when you were together and were perhaps a bit too mysterious-whilst trying to stay cool and calm-when your heart was beating as fast as a runaway train.

‘Twice‘ from London-based soulfully sweet indie-folk singer-songwriter Gilan, is a song you will delve into mindfully, as you come to terms with how you deal with love the first time and what exactly you give out to be taken. She sings with such a calming nature and her voice echos through your whole body, as you hope she does get a second chance, to put things right.

We are often worried about giving too much away for fear of being hurt, that we unintentionally show a closed off and aloof energy field, that some can find too much to try and work out. To find that balance is one of life’s Nancy Drew mysteries but if you want love enough, you will learn to figure it out and connect your soul with someone who is ultimately worth the journey of enlightenment.

Hear this soulfully thoughtful track on Spotify, see more on her IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Love looks good on you: Sleep Walking Animals drop stunning debut ‘Aengus’ Fool’

Posted on 15 February 2021

Introducing us to their music for the first time, Sleep Walking Animals stroll in confidently with their debut track ‘Aengus’ Fool‘, which is a self-described confession of infatuation and desire.

Sleep Walking Animals are your new favorite invigorating five-piece indie folk/rock band from Manchester who also spend a lot of time in London. They have been inspiring by the current world pandemic to finally get their music out there to be heard all over the globe. The close-knit group make that deep introspective kind of music that has so many layers, you might need to get that warm coat on.

They have been waiting for so long to have released music and you can hear the band in top form, Tom Glynn-Carney’s voice projects tremendously over the willing guitars, the smoldering class of this actor/musician is smokey cool and fantastically etched all over the curious walls, as he goes to ear-bending notes you feel in your bones and will never forget.

These are the underground legends that haven’t been crowned yet, the quality is utterly incredible as they toy with your soul, the sound of genuine world class musicians at work is a feeling you just know instantly.

This is the story about waiting for them to come home as you care about them so much and want to be with them so badly, you will shout from the highest mountains to let the world know of your intentions.

‘Aengus’ Fool‘ from the thrilling Manchester/London, UK act Sleep Walking Animals, is an awakening story of desire that can either turn into healthy love or overboard infatuation, if you take the boat too far into the ocean.

The long journey to this point was absolutely worth the wait. We would be fools not to want more and to ignore this outstanding group of talented men, who have manifested their desires into this delightful debut.

Stream this reflective track on Spotify and follow their travels on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

The sun will come tomorrow: Jacob’s Blue is truly magnificent on ‘Two Yellow Birds’

Posted on 4 February 2021

Taken off his debut seven-track album ‘Born in the Sunset: Thoughts to Oasis‘, ‘Two Yellow Birds‘, is the introspective new single about getting better each day after a tough breakup from Jacob’s Blue.

Flushing, New York native and humble indie-folk/lo-fi soul singer-songwriter Jacob’s Blue makes such remarkable music, that is truly meaningful and his overriding goal is to inspire his listeners with a genuine sound- that lathers our anxious hearts with true goodness.

This is the memorable story of how a breakup is so intensely hard on the very fabric of your inner soul. It feels like you have just been slapped in the face by wayward umbrella on a rainy day while out walking in the city to clear your head, Then right after that, a speeding car drives past, splashing you with a mist of water from the passing puddle. You feel like things can’t get much worse and you question everything, Your lover doesn’t care about you like they used to or did they ever truly really love you anyway. So many thoughts come crashing in your mind and you need to find perspective. Luckily, music heals all.

His passionate voice echoes so sweetly over the lovely lo-fi energy force field that readily transmits a special frequency that is quite electric and you sit back to take it all in. This is an artist who paints his picture through soundscapes in our mind- his storytelling is simple, honest yet deeply enchanting to the curious ear. You feel his pain and wonder what really happened on that fateful day and why this all transpired.

‘Two Yellow Birds‘ from the mysteriously brilliant indie-folk/lo-fi singer-songwriter Jacob’s Blue is a fascinating journey through the realization that life isn’t fair sometimes but tomorrow will be a better day.

The birds will be in the trees tomorrow chirping away and ultimately, its our choice to either be positive or be down in the dumps. This is a quality musician who chooses to make truly inspirational music that is absolutely authentic and pure. Mama taught him well.

Stream this wonderful song on Soundcloud and see his journey on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen