Browsing Tag

James Bay

Keli Woods illuminated the keys with enlightenment in his latest piano composition, Skies

Posted on 18 October 2023

Fans of Tom Odell, James Bay and Birdy won’t fail to be consumed by the latest piano composition, Skies, from the UK multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer, Keli Woods.

If his voice accompanied this year’s John Lewis Christmas advert, I wouldn’t be coloured surprised, and that is only the start of the crossover appeal of this sombrely intimate yet juxtaposing strident release, which seamlessly amasses evocative momentum and flair with every intricately laid progression in the epic 6-minute progressive ballad.

Keli Woods’ experience as a monk lent itself effortlessly well to the powerfully metaphorical introspection within Skies. His ability to conjure vivid pictures in the mind with his deeply affecting lyrical prose is second to none. He may have missed out on West End stardom at the age of 11, but all paths, which included performing jazz band in a decommissioned ambulance in Swansea and living the late-night rock ‘n’ roll life, have led him to this point of proving the transformative force of music.

Listen to the live recording of Skies from Real World Studios via YouTube from October 18.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

In the wake of trajedy, Alexander Joseph found the beauty in his piano score, Waiting for You

Posted on 11 November 2022

The UK-based singer-songwriter, Alexander Joseph, created an intricately ornate balance of faith, regret and grief in the piano version of his single, Waiting For You, which captured the complexity of the emotions following his grandmother’s passing.

If you know how it feels to know that someone is at peace while they endured the opposite amongst us and for those torrid emotions to be confounded by guilt for not being more supportive while we had the opportunity, Waiting for You will weigh down on you like a tonne of bricks.

Yet, there’s ample solace within the pure soul of the vocals, which anticipate reconnection while the lyrics vow to go on in a way that will minimise regret when our time comes. By blending striking minor keys with major keys in the progressions to brighten the score, Waiting for You unravels to sonically amplify the message that even in the wake of tragedy, life can never be black and white.

Alexander Joseph’s commitment to orchestrating uplifting heartfelt messages is seen throughout his body of work, plenty of which has been lauded by BBC Introducing. When he’s not enriching our musical culture, he coaches the British Wheelchair Tennis Programme. My faith in humanity is officially restored.

Waiting for You will officially release across all major platforms on November 11th. Hear it here.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Armstrong & O’Donnell – Altitude: Minimalist Indie Folk Pop Perfection

Posted on 4 May 2021

‘Altitude’ is just one of the quiescently powerful folk-pop singles to come from the collaboration between Scottish guitarist and songwriter Mark O’Donnell and singer-songwriter Chris Armstrong.

The minimalist bluesy popping guitar notes create the perfect platform for Armstrong’s vocals which carry the same soul-steeped air as the likes of Tracy Chapman. That is until the single amps up the energy and makes a sonic shift in tone for the outro crescendo that is arresting enough to make an everlasting impression.

With no hint of hyperbole, the powerhouse duo has what it takes to become the Simon and Garfunkel of our generation. If Altitude doesn’t leave you mesmerised, you’re not paying attention.

Armstrong & O’Donnell’s single is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Brandon Wade wants us all to ‘Dance Again’

Posted on 20 April 2021

Sometimes, the choice is between doing what’s easy, or doing what’s right. That’s the story behind Brandon Wade’s ‘Dance Again’, a gentle, uplifting acoustic ballad carried by Brandon’s sublime picked guitar parts and stunning vocal. There’s a touch of ‘The Bends’ era Radiohead about it, if Radiohead hadn’t started playing around with all the electronics, some Kevin Garrett, maybe a helping of James Bay, Michael Rosenberg/Passenger, or Hozier, too – think airy, space-filled contemporary acoustic guitar and a vocal delivery that flirts at times with falsetto, but never gives anything but exquisite delicacy.

Brandon Wade wants to write music that inspires people, and to be a ‘voice for those too afraid to speak or who think their words have little meaning’. With ‘Dance Again’, he’s produced a beautiful single about love, loss, and learning that really does have a voice all of its own.

You can check out Dance Again here.

Follow Brandon Wade on Instagram.

Review by Alex Holmes

Sable_Neon captures the 2020 mood with their Alt Indie Future Pop single “Behind Bars”

Posted on 18 November 2020

Electronic artist and producer Sable_Neon has released their latest euphoria-laced single “Behind Bars”, which captures the global mood in 2020 by alluding to the scarcity of safety and security through lyrics which resound over expansive Trancey beats.

Any fans of James Bay, Gotye, The Lumineers, Avicii and Hozier will definitely want to delve into the compelling release which was orchestrated to soothe the soul while simultaneously charging you with adrenaline through entrancing Future Pop beats.

Sable_Neon may share similarities with the aforementioned artists, but there’s a magnetic sense of pioneering authority on offer in Behind Bars. Considering that each of Sable_Neon’s releases is created by transforming thought into emotion and then feeding it into music that’s produced to heal, that comes as no surprise.

Behind Bars is available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Paul Vinson – Last Summer: Unflinchingly Enigmatic Soul Pop

Posted on 1 October 2018

Now that we’re safely in the bitter grips of Autumn its time to reminisce about the summers gone by. Luckily Singer Songwriter Paul Vinson has recently released his latest single “Last Summer” to get us through the equinox blues.

At the age of 19 years old the vocalist and guitarist has already got a staggering amount of soul and maturity in his vocals and lyrics thanks to his childhood spent as a gospel singer which helped him develop his unflinchingly enigmatic vocal talent. Yet, Paul saw the light and put his faith into his music career, with his accessibly warm and expressive style it’s safe to say he made the right choice in opening his sound up to a non-pious audience.

Fans of John Mayer, 21 Pilots, James Bay and Allen Stone will definitely appreciate the viscerally alive soundscape he’s cooked up with fellow bandmates. With the jazz style piano’s stabbing notes and bluesy guitar and bass rhythm guiding you through the track, it’s hard not to get caught up within the momentum of the sentimentally sweet single.

You can check out Paul Vinson’s latest single Last Summer for yourself by heading over to Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

A&R Factory Present: Patrick Joseph

Posted on 15 March 2017

For years, Patrick Joseph has forged a prolific career as a songwriter on the rise. You may have heard his music on such television shows as Gossip Girl, The Office, Chicago Fire, MTV’s Friendzone, or Happy Endings, to name a few. You might have caught him at festivals around North America such as SXSW in Austin, NXNE in Toronto, or CMJ in New York. Or maybe you’re just discovering his music for the first time. Regardless of how you’ve gotten to know him, you’ve already discovered quickly why Joseph’s had a steady rise to success over the past few years from the Los Angeles music scene to the international stage. With two releases and a few years of touring under his belt, singer/songwriter Patrick Joseph is no stranger to the craft, and 2015 shows no signs of slowing down for the young songsmith who hails from Los Angeles, CA.

Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Joseph forges a mixture of pretty & gritty vocals, lush production and timeless songwriting, creating a presence that NOW Magazine describes as “A Gifted LA adult-contemporarist with a world-weary Waitsian voice and a Spoon meets Beatles soft-rock vibe.”

Patrick is largely independent, producing, recording, mixing, and until recently, performing all of his recordings on his own. A resident of the neighborhood of Silverlake in Los Angeles, Joseph has established himself as one of the rising stars in the buzzing songwriting scene of Southern California.

His latest release Hindsight brought Patrick Joseph on a US Tour, steady airplay around North America, several features in film & television and the honor of Producer Of The Year in the 2015 Independent Music Awards, as well as recently being named Best Male Pop/Rock Artist in the 2016 LA Music Critic Awards.

https://www.facebook.com/patrickjosephmusic/

A&R Factory Present: Mark John

Posted on 28 April 2016

Mark John is 20-year-old singer songwriter who has busked his way through several guitars and had his fortune told by a fortune teller in a travelling circus, who said he was going to make many records and become a musician.

Growing up Mark John performed as Jean Val Jean in Les Miserables but left theatre in pursuit of pop stardom and a degree in anthropology. A profilic songwriter and a self taught guitarist, Mark gigs regularly across the drinking holes across his native North East.

Mark John’s beautifully crafted acoustic pop is reminiscent of James Bay, George Ezra, Hozier and The Script. His debut EP titled “Long Time Coming” is out on the 20th of May.

A&R Factory Rating: 5/5