Browsing Tag

singer-songwriter

Charlotte Forman is a voice of resilience and reason in her piano-driven power ballad, Don’t Change Me

Posted on 21 November 2024

In ‘Don’t Change Me,’ which is featured on Charlotte Forman’s EP of the same name, the artist pours her heart into a piano-driven ballad that magnifies her arcane control over pitch and register within a refined and emotionally charged production.

With a voice that rivals the raw, affecting power of Amy Winehouse and Adele, Charlotte Forman opens not just industry doors but windows into her soul. The lyrical narrative offers a profound exhibition of the expectations placed on female artists in an industry often swayed more by aesthetics than by talent. This piece is an unflinching declaration of self, a protest against the misogynistic undertones that often undermine genuine artistry. Forman’s lyrics roar with the strength and fortitude of a woman unyielded.

As the single progresses, it boldly veers into an Avant-Garde territory with a cabaret-like flair, as dissonant piano keys build into an artful climax before settling back into Forman’s swanky vocal reprise. This audacious turn mirrors the thematic resistance of the song, asserting Forman’s artistic identity in the face of industry conformity.

Stream the Don’t Change Me EP on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Sasha Sky found her place in a niche of style and grace with her indie RnB single, Outside of Us

Posted on 20 November 2024

Sasha Sky, a seraphically sublime soulstress emerging from County Durham, reached the epitome of sophistication with her indie RnB release, ‘Outside of Us’. As her lines weave through organically magnetic harmonies that embed the emotions of the lyrics into the listener’s psyche, the melodies carry just as much ease with their mellifluous loungey gentility.

With warm, distinctively embellished textures and intricately stacked layers that don’t merely sum to a whole but open a panorama of soulful experience, the track invites you to immerse in the colour and sincerity of its composition, grooving against your emotional impulses and leaving a lasting mark.

This single stands in stark contrast to the modern charts’ disregard for genuine grace as it vindicates the romantically scorned, showcasing Sasha as the embodiment of the refinement she portrays in her music.

Since beginning her music career during the 2021 lockdown, Sasha has drawn upon her lifelong love for music, songwriting, and poetry, a venture emboldened by her studies in Performing Arts and Music at New College Durham. This background honed her ability to weave sonic narratives that speak directly to the soul. As the crowning point of her career so far, Outside of Us is the perfect opportunity to introduce yourself to a superlative voice in contemporary indie RnB.

Outside of Us was officially released on November 7th and is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify and SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Emmett McGrath revisited 70s folk-pop with visual lyricism and achingly panoramic sonics in ‘Outlaw’

Posted on 18 November 2024

Cali singer-songwriter Emmett McGrath is a testament to the power of lyrical storytelling in his latest single, Outlaw. The orchestrally embellished 70s folk pop vignette is driven by Elton John-esque piano keys which let you feel the heart in every note and enlightened by McGrath’s intensely evocative harmonies that put him in the same league as Cat Stevens.

With lyrics as poignantly poetic as Paul Simon and Bob Dylan, it’s impossible not to feel like you’ve found a diamond in the rough with Outlaw; the way it sweeps you up in the tenderly orchestrated panorama as it traces the steps of a woman on the run towards refuge is a cinematic triumph.

Between his visual lyricism, ability to pay homage to the greats while staying true to his sonic blueprint and the lush reverberations of his sepia-tinged compositions, there’s no denying that Emmett McGrath has one of the most impactful voices in modern folk-pop.

Outlaw was officially released on November 2nd and is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Laura Mock took her listeners from poetic depth to ethereal heights in her standout single, Acadia

Posted on 11 November 2024

After two years of pouring her poetry, candour and sublimely affecting unique aura into her debut EP, home//body, the NYC-residing songstress, Laura Mock has finally unveiled one of the most sensuous sounds of 2024.

The standout single, Acadia, starts with tenderly warm piano chords which echo Nick Cave’s ‘Into My Arms’ before the single veers into stylistically seraphic easy listening territory and concludes following an arcane neo-classic folk pop crescendo which reaches the epitome of sonic serenity.

Despite the diaphanous propensities of each of the motifs in Acadia, the artfully composed, orchestrally laced progressions are strong enough to carry the weight of the heaviest souls as Mock uses the organic reverie within her vocal register to wrap you up within a vignette where naturalistic beauty resounds in equal measure to the divine nature of her talent.

Stream Laura Mock’s debut EP, home//body, on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Organic Art Folk Serenity Unravels through Matt John Henderson’s ‘Gethsemane’

Posted on 9 November 2024

With his latest single, Gethsemane, the Ambient Avant-Gardist Matt John Henderson nestled into the niche of sonic expressionists with the ability to render catharsis into your rhythmic pulses while intellectually stimulating your mind.

The cinematically quiescent piece uses organic textures and tones to imbue the production in folksy seraphic warmth; his equally as honeyed and honed hushed vocal tones effortlessly complement the minimalist yet intricately eloquent instrumental stylings which pair jazz nuances with artfully delicate motifs that wouldn’t be out of place in Thom Yorke’s remit.

As a precursor to the critically acclaimed artist’s eagerly anticipated album, Lapse in Stillness, Gethsemane is an introspectively entrancing teaser of the serenity which is set to soon follow. The artist’s ability to invite his audience to lose themselves and live between the layers of his sound is second to none; it’s only a matter of time before his name becomes a staple on every editorial ambient playlist on Spotify.

Gethsemane was officially released on November 1st; stream the single on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Kevin Walsh invites listeners into a sonic expanse of theatrical romanticism with his latest single, Ruby

Posted on 8 November 2024

Kevin Walsh’s latest single ‘Ruby’ resonates with a cinematic alchemy akin to the poignant melodies of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’. Orchestrally carved and piano-driven, the production underscores the Cork native’s virtuoso tenor octave range, which has led to the anticipation of him being hailed as a soon-to-be marvel of the West End. The minor-key ballad, delivered through Walsh’s emotive voice, serves not only to showcase his impressive vocal range but also invites listeners into a sonic expanse of theatrical romanticism.

Opening with the disarmingly simple contemplation of modern communication, the single spirals into a soundscape that captures the essence of lost love and longing. The elegiac piano by Dylan Howe, along with Maria Ryan’s string compositions, harmonises eloquently with Walsh’s classically trained vocals. This orchestration, arranged by Aine Delaney and peppered with Sarah Hickey’s background harmonies, encapsulates the nostalgic heartache that imbues the track.

Inspired by the likes of Tom Waits and Randy Newman, Walsh offers a plaintive plea for reconnection which will leave you choking back the tears. Drawing from the acclaimed music video for his reworking of Meat Loaf’s ‘Not a Dry Eye in the House’, which depicts young lovers torn apart, ‘Ruby’ carries forward this narrative of separation and the relentless pursuit of faded dreams.

The release of ‘Ruby’ on November 8th, available on Bandcamp and major streaming platforms, promises to be a touching addition to the modern orchestral pop landscape. Kevin Walsh’s narrative ambition stretches further still, as he plans to weave these themes into an EP that aims to culminate in a full musical film.

As Walsh prepares for an intimate performance at Al Spailpin Fanach, Cork, on November 13th, his journey—from a non-verbal autistic child finding his voice in music to a chart-topping theatrical performer—continues to be an inspiring testament to the power of persistence and the arts.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Folk Meets Symphony: The Dynamic Contrasts of ‘Touch of Adrenaline

Posted on 7 November 2024

With an 00s-adjacent sound that will throw you right back to when the fervour around Plain White T’s single Hey There Delilah consumed popular culture, the latest acoustic pop single, Touch of Adrenaline, from the independent singer-songwriter Woodstone, is a raw revelation which will leave you hanging off every cuttingly cultivated chord progression.

Rugged in all the right places, stirringly diaphanous in all the rest, Touch of Adrenaline is enough to sink you into an awe-struck stupor as you attempt to take in the vivacious display of talent that translates into evocatively piercing aural gold.

The pulls of the orchestral strings which work their way into the mix accompanied by folky instrumentals amplify the thematic dynamism of the single which evolves into a study of contrasts between the ornate orchestral motifs and the winding Kurt Vile reminiscent folk strings.

As the single lyrically contends with the painstaking fear of not being enough in the presence of someone who captivates through the electricity of their skin and knowing that the connection will be ephemeral, Woodstone exhibits one of the most scintillating song structures the airwaves have been graced with this year. The question isn’t whether he is worthy of your radar; it’s, Are your radars worthy of him?

Touch of Adrenaline reached all major streaming platforms, including SoundCloud on October 21.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Broghan – The Calm Before the Storm: Southern Gothic Glaswegian Alt-Indie Folk

Posted on 4 November 2024

The Glaswegian alt-indie-folk singer-songwriter Broghan has come a long way from busking in Glasgow and Edinburgh at 14 years old. Her latest single, The Calm Before the Storm, which sees the haunting aesthetics of Southern Gothic Folk meet Scottish Art Folk, is set to push her to even greater heights. I wouldn’t be surprised if roles were reversed in the near future and Lewis Capaldi opens for her in front of a 12k cap capacity crowd!

The ethereally Avant-Garde score builds from a minimalistic instrumental piece into an arcane tour de force, with a series of filmically thematic transgressions pulling you through the shadowed corridors of the single which exhibits how Broghan has mastered the art of tonality and spatial effect.

The anticipation before the crescendo will leave your rhythmic pulses on the brink; the angular notes that haunt the soundscape following the first climatic build testify to how immersive this visceral ride through the singer-songwriter’s talent truly is. She’s a phenomenon in her own right, and it is only a matter of time before she’s showered with plaudits and songwriting awards.

The Calm Before the Storm reached the airwaves on November 1st; stream the single on all major platforms, including Spotify, now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

 

Heed the confessionally celestial call of Seafarers’ latest hit indie chamber pop single, Televangelists

Posted on 2 November 2024

Seafarers, the innovative six-piece led by Matthew Herd, took ethereal indie chamber pop into a celestial realm with their latest single, ‘Televangelists’, which nestles into their third studio LP, Another State; the track envelops listeners in an arcane aura, inviting them to explore the band’s poetic universe.

Herd’s transition from solitary songwriting to a more collaborative approach shines through the mellifluous stream of lyrical parables that punctuate this release. The candidly poignant lines strike all the right chords with their perception-widening introspection and intimate confessions. Each lyric is an opportunity for connection, offering a profound glimpse into the psyche of a group that has drawn acclaim across the globe since its inception in 2018.

The seamless fusion of Florence and the Machine-esque indie rock and chamber pop creates a lush soundscape that amplifies the track’s thematic weight. Herd’s collaboration with extraordinary vocalist Elanor Moss, whom he credits with broadening his creative horizons, adds almost depth to the composition which is affecting on every conceivable level.

Televangelists is available to stream as part of Seafarers’ third LP, Another State, via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Aneyrah – Marmalade: A Sticky-Sweet Slice of RnB Pop Seduction

Posted on 29 October 2024

‘Marmalade’ by Australian artist Aneyrah is a scintillating blend of 90s RnB pop nostalgia and disco grooves, offering a sensuously provocative record that shimmers with an arcane aura.

As the earworm progresses,  Aneyrah’s soulfully indomitable vocals are wrapped around a solid rhythmic pulse that magnetises the senses with every beat. Given the sharpness of the irresistible pop hooks in Marmalade, it wouldn’t be surprising if Aneyrah shared a lineage with Kylie and Dannii Minogue.

Lyrically, the single explores the complexities of relationships that precariously hang in a passionately tormentative grey area; each verse is an ethereally fiery declaration of a heart navigating its way through ambiguous romantic territory.

With her ability to fully command a sticky-sweet melody, every glittering note counts in this lyrical confession of love and longing. We can’t wait to hear what follows from the iconic conduit of soul; she’s the full RnB pop package.

Marmalade hit the airwaves on October 1st; stream the single on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast