Browsing Tag

UK Folk

Dylan Walker drops his debut single, the chilled love-song ‘All I Need Is You’

Posted on 10 April 2021

It’s not often that bible quotes spring readily to mind when reviewing new music, but “when I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things” could easily be the tag-line for ‘All I Need Is You’, Dylan Walker’s debut self-penned single.

An ex-childhood tennis prodigy and professional player turned musician and songwriter, 20-something Dylan Walker’s opener is a beautiful, gentle mellow little acoustic-guitar-and-vocal-led ballad to love, loss, and the understanding that the important things in life aren’t – as he puts it – ‘…fancy things/ like fast cars and grand clothes and diamond rings’, but the love and support of those close to us. Dylan Walker’s voice is soft, lilting, almost falsetto at times, carrying the message of the lyrics beautifully over the chilled melodic backing. It’s a strong, confident debut, and bodes well for Dylan Walker in the future, with two more singles – ‘Life Began With You’ and ‘We Are Meant To Be’ slated for release later this year on Happy Sloth Records.

‘All I Need Is You’ is out now across all major streaming platforms; you can check it out on Spotify now.

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

 

Dom Malin – Eye of the Storm: Sweetly Tempestuous Modern Indie Folk

Posted on 6 November 2020

As soon as you hit play on West Midlands-based singer-songwriter Dom Malin’s third self-produced Indie Folk single, you’ll see why it is titled “Eye of the Storm”.

The parable between heartbreak and elemental chaos is intensely palpable. You’ll find yourself swept up in the evocatively raw, melodically crafted radio-ready production and ardently in awe of Malin’s intimate connectable vulnerability.

It’s so much more than the deliverance of piteous self-indulgent woe. Eye of the Storm deals with the unendurable emotions which come to fruition when you realise that there’s no chance of keeping a fire in a relationship breathing as the last ember has already faded. Malin notes the inconsolability which accompanies heartbreak, but with Eye of the Storm, he offers a temporary aural escape by delivering emotion which may just displace your own romantic lament.

Your soul would have to be fairly dilapidated not to register the painful emotion which has been projected into the soundscape which will go down a storm (excuse the pun) with any fans of John Mayer, The Lumineers, Damien Rice and Ben Howard.

Even though there are some stylistic nods to the likes of Paul Simon, Malin’s sound is anything but archaic. Malin achieves a sonically massive sound which would have no trouble filling a stadium, all the while delivering one of the most tenderly poetic singles which you’ll hear this year.

Ahead of the official release, Eye of the Storm has already been chosen as track of the week by BBC introducing Lincolnshire. It would be no surprise if it featured on plenty of other Radio A-lists throughout Autumn 2020 and beyond.

Eye of the Storm was released on Friday, November 6th, 2020. You can check it out via Spotify.

Stay up to date with new releases from Dom Malin by following him on Instagram.

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

Sink into “September” again with Brother Sea’s latest soulfully resolving Celtic Folk single

Posted on 27 September 2020
Brother Sea

South West Celtic Folk artist Brother Sea kindly gave us a sneak peek of their forthcoming single “September” and allowed us to the sink into the accordance of their soulful aural resolve ahead of the official release on October 24th.

There’s nothing which can parallel the ethereally phantasmal chill which creeps from Celtic tones. Yet, Brother Sea infused plenty of their passion, hunger and soul into the soundscape around the eerie tones. So that overall, September unravels as a captivating folklore-spilling soundscape.

Keep up to date with news of the release via Facebook, or head on over to Brother Sea’s official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

UK Folk Singer-Songwriter Fabio Whyte Has Released Their Latest Masterfully Arrestive Single “Misty Words”

Posted on 20 July 2020

UK Folk Rock Singer-Songwriter Fabio Whyte has recently released their accordantly adrenalizing latest single “Misty Words”. If you’re looking for an aural pick me up which drips with ardent sincerity, look no further.

With the first few acoustic guitar notes, the infectious energy contained in Misty Words starts to resonate. From there on out you’re hooked in an upbeat Alt Folk earworm.

Don’t let Fabio Whyte’s flirtation with the Folk genre fool you, their intricately absorbing melodies aren’t a long way off what you can expect from Elliott Smith’s fretboard mastery. But instead of misery, you’ll get organic uplifting vibes from Misty Words. The track may tackle the subject of romantic mishaps, but it’s hard to feel downbeat while you’re listening to the progressively beguiling single unfold.

You can check out Fabio Whyte’s single Misty Words by heading over to Soundcloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Andrew Maxwell Morris sings his way into our hearts with love lost ”All Over Now”

Posted on 27 June 2020

You want the love to last but you have no choice in the matter. It’s so vivid after having that face to face chat that tells you it’s all done. When you hear those words you realize that those memories will fade quickly. Or will you both still feel the burning passion to try again and not worry what your friends think?

”All Over Now’‘ from Andrew Maxwell Morris is a breakup journey and it makes one very reflective. I sit here a bit gloomy wondering what might have been. I think to the future and hope that I can be the best man possible for my next girlfriend and hopefully Queen. After some growing up, it’s time.

Andrew Maxwell Morris is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. As well as performing at Glastonbury Festival for the past ten years, he has supported Fleetwood Mac’s Peter Green and Marillion. An impressive resume indeed.

This song is off the new album ”Save The Light” from April this year. This song impresses highly and his experience shines brightly for the whole UK scene to see.

If you love Spotify then be sure to click through.

Soundcloud is the home to stream this track and his whole collection.

To find out more about live shows and more info head to his Facebook page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Hampshire based Folk-Roots artist Megan Linford shines bright with truthful ‘’Lessons’’

Posted on 31 May 2020

Put in time and you will get the results. With a soothing piano to start the song, you know this is going to be good. Giving thanks to her parents, speaking about lessons learnt- no matter how hard the occasional trips and falls. 

‘Megan Linford’, is making her way on the UK Folk/Indie scene with her sun-kissed melodies and honest lyrics, that shows her humble and grateful attitude to life. She is an Indie artist, doing it herself with the love and support of friends and family. She hosts her own music night in Portsmouth and seems to be learning all the sides of the music industry, a very smart move indeed. 

After already pushing out 2 self- released EP’s and 3 singles, Megan is working hard on her first album set for release in 2020. I personally can’t wait to hear the new music and hopefully lockdown hasn’t slowed anything down for her.

From the little I know about Megan, I can tell that this is an extremely industrious and hard working woman who won’t let anything stop her. Her voice is absolutely breathtaking and I can’t wait to see her live at a gig soon. The local music scene needs people like Megan, someone with a positive message and self-awareness, in these troubled times.

‘’Lessons’’ and more stunning vocals from Megan are here on Spotify.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen