Leathan Milne – “Our Ghosts”
-Okay so technically this is Canadiana, but I don’t want to split hairs. Let’s just enjoy the beautiful layered sounds from Leathan Milne here. I appreciate that he has the articulation and subtlety to make the song meander along. This one doesn’t hit hard, but it eases right in like a good bourbon.
Frances Luke Accord – “Maria”
-Frances Luke Accord has been a consist voice on our site for a while now. His intricate folk style is a refreshing breath of fresh air in a scene that has so many copycat artists. You’ve never heard anyone who sings like this. The vocal feels a bit like Joshua James, but the total composition is truly unique. The harmonies are so good you will swoon.
Jeremy Harrell – “Dancing with a broken heart”
-The opening of this song sounds a bit pedestrian, if I’m honest. Then the vocal comes in and knocks me right off my seat. There’s a Ray Lamontagne comparison to be made for sure. That said, Harrell’s soul on this track is just stunning. I don’t know who he’s singing about, but he has tapped into her emotions remarkably well. Fans of old school Ray Charles style pop soul need to give this one a spin.
Jack Patchet – “Patient”
-The easy comparison for this Jack Patchet track is John Mayer. I hear that easy going pop singer songwriter vibe here for sure. But then when you listen a bit more closely, you can feel something different that comes from Patchet’s sincere vocals. Instead of the polish of Mayer’s major production, Patchet allows is vocal and guitar (to say nothing of the great horn backing) to tell a brilliant, expressive story. How hard it is to be patient when you’re trying to make it work with someone you love…
Mitch Rivers – “Easy Way Out”
-Rivers sounds like he might have been born in the wrong era. Everything about this record feels like about 1968. The vibe is really chill and the guitars shine especially well. Rivers has a coolness in his vocal that will put you in mind of Jim Morrison and that vintage Doors cool.
Aaron and Julia – “Your Feelings”
-This title is legit; you will feel a lot when you listen to this track. Aaron and Julia have a beautiful chemistry that comes through in their intimate folk music. This understated track will have you listening closely. When the piano enters the track to enliven and jazz up the composition, you’ll find yourself cracking a smile and breathing deep.
Ryan Dart – “Ain’t Quite Heaven”
-When you think Americana music, Ryan Dart’s sound is probably what you have in mind. It ain’t quite country and it ain’t quite folk, but it’s something wonderful. Dart’s voice is pure with the slightest twang, but it just feels like the real deal. He sings about earthly, realistic things that feel familiar and distinctly true. This is salt of the earth music right here.
Lights and Bridges – “Superball”
-This piece from Lights and Bridges feels a bit more like a Leonard Cohen track than most modern folk. The phrasing comes across as deliberate and evocative. “When I dream I dream of you” is a poetic and romantic line, encapsulating the point of the song. It’s a dreamlike resonance of love. Anyone who has ever been in love will be able to relate to that spinning, flying sensation. It’s a great sonic depiction of that.
McKenzie Lockhart – “Easy”
-Every once in a while we hear a talent that stands out like a bright shining star; McKenzie Lockhart is a standout artist. If you listen to the phrasing and overall style here, you’ll notice something different about Lockhart’s heart. She reminds me of the kind of singer songwriters that made me fall for acoustic music to begin with. If you’re a fan of singer songwriters like Emily Hearn, you need to give Lockhart a spin.
Nick Ralg – “Hard on yourself”
-We’ve covered Nick Ralg before, so you know for him to impress us again it has to be good. He did. This thoughtful singer songwriter vibe has kind of a Paul Simon mood to it. I really appreciate the way the acoustic guitar provides the basis. Some of the larger production elements do crowd the composition a bit, but we like Ralg’s overall mood enough to share him here.
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