Browsing Tag

Mumford and Sons

Yunger – Let There Be Hope: A Compassionately Impassioned Folk Playlist Staple

Posted on 1 December 2022

Folk singer-songwriter Yunger refused to let all hope be lost in his achingly impassioned single, Let There Be Hope. The single surpassed the gravitas and sincerity in folk hits from Mumford & Sons and the Lumineers as he went all-in with compassion as he acknowledged the darkness that we can all succumb to when it feels like the silver linings are always out of sight.

After laying out unconditional understanding, he offers an olive branch out of entropy which has become increasingly more prevalent in the wake of tragedies that seem to be dragging innocent lives back to the dark ages. If more souls were as pure as Yunger’s and we all had his eloquently poetic way with words, our existence would be so much brighter. Notably, he’s Australia’s answer to Frank Turner.

If you love Let There Be Hope, be sure to check out his latest album, Of Hope and Dreams, which was released on vinyl on October 1st.

The official music video for Let There Be Hope is available on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Sleep Walking Animals have released their post-punk infused folk single, ‘Dance Laura Dance’

Posted on 26 May 2021

Folk and indie post-punk collide in the latest single released by the alt-rock luminaries, Sleep Walking Animals. Refreshingly, reminiscence to contemporary folk chart-topping artists are there, but Sleep Walking Animals didn’t allow them to dominate their organically progressive single.

In the same way that Frightened Rabbit’s music was darkened by an inexplicable despondence, Sleep Walking Animals’ latest single gives that multi-faceted sense of emotion, making the euphoria-bleeding choruses so much sweeter.

With cutting post-punk tones spilling from the basslines behind the steady, momentum-building, choral guitars, Sleep Walking Animals created the perfect platform for the richly harmonic imploring vocals that reach out with enough finesse to reassure you that Sleep Walking Animals have exactly what it takes to be the next big name in indie.

The Manchester/London residing artists may be relatively fresh from their inception, but they’re already proving they’re one to watch.

Dance Laura Dance released on May 21st; you can check it out for yourselves by heading over to 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

Adam Wendler shows us what the pinnacle of modern folk-pop is with ‘Thin Ice’

Posted on 1 March 2021

Modern folk-pop artist Adam Wendler made their debut in 2017 with their album ‘Never Go Unknown’. With the acclaim which followed, they ensured that they never would.

Their first 2021 release, ‘Thin Ice’, is their finest work to date and the perfect introduction to their timelessly evocative approach to songwriting. The melodiously vibrant anthem could easily keep a mainstage festival crowd arrested and animated.

Tenderness, vulnerability and gratified sincerity project through resounding vocals as they run through the lyrics which give a taste of how sweet it is to fall in love with someone who leaves you mesmerised.

The artist brought plenty of gravitas to the conversation around inferiority. Ultimately, the upbeat folk-laden feat of pop proves that adoration doesn’t need to turn into a passive-aggressive inferiority complex.

The Zoom-born single was created in November in collaboration with Tors; a UK-based, X Ambassadors Management-signed powerhouse who complimented his catchy lyrics. With Dessner-style walls of sonic guitar to bring the track to the close, Thin Ice leaves you keen to grab another ticket for one of Adam Wendler’s emotional rollercoasters. Rest assured, there will be plenty more to come from the Berlin-based Canadian artist in 2021 and beyond.

Since arriving in Berlin, Adam Wendler has shared stages with Post Animal, the Arkells, Ryan Sheridan and Matt Mays and seen his singles rank in the singer-songwriter iTunes charts. Something tells us he’s not quite finished on his ascent to the top.

Thin Ice is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

NewtonSmith – Born in a Hurricane, Forged in a Fire: Soulfully Nostalgic Alt Folk

Posted on 9 October 2020

The accordant romanticism almost catches in your throat as you listen to the soulfully melodic instrumentals mellifluously collide in NewtonSmith’s latest single Born in a Hurricane, Forged in a Fire which dropped on September 4th.

There may be reminiscences to Bob Dylan and similar roots-deep Alt Americana Folk artists, but the UK-based Folk duo masterfully brought that nostalgically resolving sound into the 21st century. Any fans of Mumford & Sons and The Lumineers will undoubtedly find the magnetism in Born in a Hurricane, Forged in a Fire. The catchy lyrics and even more infectious melodies make hitting play on this track an unforgettable experience.

If you like keeping track of hot up and coming artists, you’ll want this duo on your radar, right about now.

You can check out NewtonSmith’s latest single by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Chris Hobart has dropped his single Wolf Pack: Synth Indie Rock at it’s finest

Posted on 20 April 2020

Up and coming artist Chris Hobart has dropped his single ‘Wolf Pack’ embracing the wholesome sound of Synth Indie Rock, it’s a masterpiece.

An impactful instrumentation pulses through this piece, that loud bang on the drum, using the synthesizer to create that catchy melody and adding in humming and a chant, giving it a more powerful meaning.

The way the rhythm is changed from the beginning, middle and end keeps you listening. Towards the halfway point, is where the Indie Rock elements take their lead, the loud high-pitched riffs on the guitar, the clash on the drums but still keeping that same synthesized beat but lowering the volume on it so it gently collides alongside the rest.

Chris creates a feeling of suspense through his vocal ranges, keeping it rather flat in places but hitting them high notes perfectly, having a rather silvery tone when it comes to his voice and wide array of pitches

This one is one that will be listened to by many and will definitely be on repeat, so be sure to check this one out.

Head over to SoundCloud now to listen to Chris Hobart’s track Wolf Pack.

Review by Karley Myall

Leo Wood – My Luck: An Unfathomably Stunning Mix of DnB, Folk & Blues

Posted on 7 March 2018

I’m absolutely stumped trying to figure out a way to describe Leo Wood’s stunning sound in her debut single My Luck. Sure, it mixes DnB with Pop, Soul, Blues and Acoustic Folk, but hearing that fusion for the first time from such a strong female voice is an experience of pure aural alchemy that you definitely will want to check out for yourself. The funk of the bass contrasts against the more synthy elements of DnB, which creates a rich, perplexing sound that you can’t help slipping into. If you mixed Scroobius Pip with The Sugababes you might get somewhere close to the idea of Leo Wood’s unfathomably stunning sound.

Leo Wood is a Bristol, UK based songwriter and vocalist that uses her sound to test the boundaries of the acoustic and electronic partnership. There was clearly no rulebook in sight when Leo Wood set out to make her debut track My Luck instead, she took her own inspirations, classical training and penchant for Blues and Soul to create a truly pioneering sound.

You can check out the stunning official video to My Luck on YouTube using the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYPYcjpDBEQ

Follow Leo Wood on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/LeoWoodOriginal

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Die Blonde release hazy new compelling single ‘L.A. and Nashville’

Posted on 26 July 2017
https://youtu.be/E9QIUWVb-lg

L.A. and Nashville are arguably two of the most important cities in the United States to the music industry.

Los Angeles is home to a kaleidoscopic music scene under the California sun, with a particular emphasis on rock music. Nashville is known for its country music scene and references to timeless Americana.

Die Blonde set out to combine these two musical philosophies and bridge the gaps between alternative rock and folk with their new compelling single, “L.A. and Nashville”. This song defies genre definitions and blurs the lines between the usual cliches, going for something edgy and refreshingly unpredictable.

The song immediately kicks off with some warm and bright acoustic guitar and an engaging stomping groove. The vocal harmonies are laden with beautiful reverb effects, going for a cool 60s feel – Think Mumford and Sons jamming with Tame Impala!

On “L.A. and Nashville”, Die Blonde set out to create a hazy and dreamy production aesthetic with psychedelic overtone. Their ability to create memorable melodies and poignant lyrics seamlessly blends in with their tasteful production value, making for a very organic and personal sound.

Find out more and listen to the single directly via the band’s page http://dieblondeband.com/

A&R Factory Present: Damien McFly

Posted on 30 May 2016

A multi instrumentalist, a sound engineer and a powerful voice all wrapped up in one, Damien McFly effortlessly blends the acoustic elements of folk with a rock inspired flair for songwriting.

Damien McFly is the stage name for Damiano Ferrari, a driven, passionate and charismatic singer from Padova, Italy. Dedicated to live performance, he has played over 300 gigs throughout Europe in two years and in the summer of 2014 he crossed the Atlantic to play gigs in Chicago, Indianapolis and Nashville.

He has toured France, Belgium, Holland and Germany as well as gracing the Hard Rock Rocks festival Acoustic Stage in Edinburgh and the Wigwam stage at Carfest.

A powerful collection of heartfelt songs, Damien’s debut album Parallel Mirrors (Oct 2015) channels the best of Mumford & Sons andThe Lumineerssound, both bands having been a huge influence on him as he developed as a songwriter. Each instrument on the release has been recorded unplugged, utiliing the natural ambience and reverb of specific recording locations to pick up the warmth of live performance on microphone.

New Start, Damien’s first single has been picked by MTV New Generation Italy as song of the week in December 2015.

The song I Can’t Reply is one of the winner songs of the ISC (international Songwriting Competition) 2016 and received many national airplays in the UK (BBC Scotland, Amazing Radio) and in Belgium (Classic 21).

During the summer of 2016 he will perform at YouBloom festival in Dublin, Home Festival (Biggest italian festival) in Treviso (Italy) and several shows in Italy, Belgium and Holland.